Women’s export business gets boost from Commonwealth

Summary of story from Commonwealth Secretariat, January 16, 2011

Europe’s largest buyers’ fair will exhibit products from female entrepreneurs across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, following sponsorship from the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Nine women from the Commonwealth will take part in the 2012 Spring Fair International in Birmingham, UK, from February 5 to 9, which is expected to attract around 3,000 traders and over 73,000 buyers.

The Commonwealth Secretariat is a voluntary association of 54 countries that work together towards shared goals in democracy and development.

The project includes a training workshop on gender and trade which will be attended by both officials and the women exhibitors.

“It aims to make policy-makers more aware of the gender impact of trade strategies and their implementation,” said Sarah Kitakule, Advisor at the Secretariat’s Gender Section.

“It is hoped that through this sponsorship these fledgling women-owned businesses will have the opportunity to gain exposure to the international marketplace,” she said.