KUALA LUMPUR, March 16 — Women micro-businesses contributed 25 per cent to Malaysia’s gross domestic product in 2016 and this reflects the important role being played by them in the nation’s economy. 

The increasing number of women micro entrepreneurs is also positive and an encouraging trend, said Women Entrepreneur Convention and Expo 2017 (Konvenita) Honorary Chairman, Datuk Faridah A.Jabbar. 

She said the government had been assisting women entrepreneurs by providing loans and entrepreneurial training schemes.

The inaugural Konvenita will feature exciting, informative programmes and activities related to women entrepreneurship, such as exhibitions by agencies and government-linked companies, sales booths, crafts and cooking demonstrations as well as fashion shows.    

Faridah told Bernama Konvenita would be held in conjunction with the International Women’s Day which was celebrated on March 8. 

Themed, "Scaling Up and Transformation of Women Entrepreneurs”, it also aims to promote products by local micro-entrepreneurs from the Malaysian Bumiputera Women Entrepreneurs’ Association (Usahanita) and others. 

"There will be talks by renowned economists and entrepreneurs, who will share their business knowledge and provide tips, as well as their success stories,” said Faridah, who is also Usahanita President.

Agencies such as Tekun Nasional, the Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit and Mara will also have booths at the event to assist future entrepreneurs in obtaining loans.

Visitors will also have an opportunity to participate in a food review to assist entrepreneurs in improving the quality and taste of their products.

"We used to have our events in halls. This time around, we decided to do it in a mall to expose the participants to the business atmosphere and promote their products,” Faridah said. — Bernama