Over 400 women business, entrepreneurial and governmental leaders from 50 countries around the world attended the Global Summit of Women 2001 opened Thursday in Hong Kong.
Among them are Vice President of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Binh, South African Minister of Minerals and Energy Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry Lindiwe Hendricks, Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Carrie Yau.
The three-day summit, informally called the “Davos for Women”, focuses on fostering women’s economic development by enabling participants to engage in cross-border business and professional relationships.
One major theme of this year’s summit is the use IT for women. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Carrie Yau said, “we, men and women alike, must equip ourselves and get ready for the next wave of e-development in the knowledge-based economy.”
She said, “Hong Kong is a very good partner for IT development in the region, especially for those who plan to enter the market of the Chinese Mainland following its accession to the World Trade Organization.”
The Global Summit of Women began 11 years ago as a forum for women leaders to exchange strategies and solutions on issues of common concern. It had been held in Montreal, Dublin, Taipei, Miami, London, Buenos Aires and Johannesburg in the past.
(People's Daily 09/13/2001)
