Barcelona, 28 November 2017 – The Association of the Mediterranean Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCAME), Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the United Nation Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) organised the Women Entrepreneurship and Investment Programme (WEIP) in the framework of MedaWeek Barcelona, from 22 to 24 November in Barcelona. Through specific workshops, B2B meetings and technical visits, the event promoted dialogue between women entrepreneurs from both shores of the Mediterranean in order to strengthen cooperation, foster international agreements and create new business opportunities.
Women Entrepreneurs Forum
This forum was the occasion to promote women’s entrepreneurship in the Mediterranean region, where the proportion of women entrepreneurs is two to three times lower than the world average. Over 70 Mediterranean women entrepreneurs were able to meet to exchange experiences and best practices and explore new business and investment opportunities.
In addition to WEIP, this year’s MedaWeek edition already host the IX Mediterranean Forum of Women Entrepreneurs in collaboration with the Association of Organisations of Mediterranean Businesswomen (AFAEMME). The forum focused on women leaders in Business Institutional Relations and the promotion of several regional programs to position women in economic decision-making positions.
Lastly, the consolidated forum addressed women entrepreneurship as a tool for job creation, and successful initiatives that contribute to the economic empowerment of young women from the region.
- MedaWeek 2017 gathered more than 1,500 entrepreneurs around the human and economic potential of the Mediterranean region on many perspectives.
- UfM, UNIDO and ASCAME brought together 70 women from the region to promote cooperation and create new business opportunities for women.
- The Middle East and North Africa region have high gender inequality in entrepreneurship: only 13 to 15 per cent of women run their own business, compared to 31 to 38 per cent for the global average.
- OECD estimates that the Middle East and North Africa region could increase its GDP per capita by 25% by promoting women’s economic empowerment. In the European Union member countries, greater gender equality could increase GDP from 6.1 to 9.6%.
- According to a UNIDO report published in 2017, women in the Middle East and North Africa region consider market access, networking and financing as key factors in promoting women’s entrepreneurship.