Economy –women’s business

Businesswomen, female civil servants and scientists from 21 APEC countries have gathered to talk women’s involvement in innovations and their contribution to human capital and business.

The idea of the forum originated in the US. The event is primarily aimed at exchanging experience in boosting women’s involvement in the APEC economic process, the deputy head of the Asia and Africa Department of Russia’s Ministry of Economic development Natalia Strigunova said in an exclusive interview with the VoR:

The event is mainly economy-oriented, thus, the Ministry of Economic Development was ordered to arrange it. It is an evolution of the US initiative in line with the APEC agenda succession principle. Last year, the US proposed to hold a gender event, the Women and the Economy Forum, which is expected to end in the establishment of a new institution - Political Partnership: Women and the Economy.

What’s the main goal of today’s session?

Today APEC working groups discussed the implementation of the San-Francisco Declaration that envisages helping women become fully engaged in the economic process. The participants are discussing their progress compared to last year.

June 29 will be the day of panel discussions of the six main issues. They will be centered on innovation economy, female business and investment in human capital. The forum will end in a round table chaired by the forum’s head Valetina Matvienko.

The main outcome of the event will be a final bill targeting three main issues on the meeting’s agenda - innovation, business and investment in human capital

Is the forum attracting a lot of attention?

It’s somewhat early for assessments but I’m seeing a great interest in the forum and we even had more participants than it was planned. Russia’s delegation is quite extensive. The Foreign Ministry assisted us in the preparations.

My impressions are very positive- nice atmosphere, people are sharing knowledge methods and experience. I can only welcome this.