The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has granted women-led-owned small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, including Vietnam, a total of $20.2 million to access financial resources and join training courses, state media reported. The ADB took the aid from the program on “Women Accelerating Vibrant Enterprises in Southeast Asia and the Pacific” (WAVES) funded by the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi). As many as 5,000 women-led firms in Vietnam and the Pacific are expected to enjoy benefits from the five-year program. The program aims to support these firms in accessing financial resources, developing capacities, and creating favorable conditions. Statistics showed that women-led/owned firms had so far accounted for 60% of the total SMEs in Asia-Pacific. The We-Fi was announced at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in July 2017 and launched at the World Bank – IMF Annual Meetings in October 2017. (Bao Dau Thau)
