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The ASEAN-Japan Women Entrepreneurs Summit marked a significant step towards fostering economic resilience and sustainable development through women-led enterprises across ASEAN and Japan. Organized by the ASEAN-Japan Centre in collaboration with the ASEAN Youth Organization, the ASEAN Coordinating Committee for MSMEs, and the Women Leadership Foundation Malaysia, the summit received support from the ASEAN Secretariat, Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) Japan, and Ministry of Entrepreneur and Co-operatives Development (MECD), Malaysia. Held in Kuala Lumpur in support of Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, the summit successfully brought together over 100 women entrepreneurs and business ecosystem players in a hybrid format from 10 ASEAN member states and Japan.
This summit also served as the concluding event for the ASEAN-Japan Centre’s 2024 series of activities aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs. These activities included a webinar in September, a two-day roundtable discussion with 35 women entrepreneurs in Lao PDR in November, and a research on the innovation and sustainability challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in ASEAN and Japan.
Key Insights
The Summit emphasized the need for digital inclusion and sustainability for women entrepreneurs, focusing on AI adoption and the infrastructure to make digital tools accessible. It also highlighted the importance of strategic access to finance through investment literacy and gender-smart investments, stressing the need for more women in investment networks to address their unique financial challenges. Women entrepreneurs are keen on adopting sustainable practices but require more resources and support to integrate these effectively into their businesses.
The conclusion of panel discussions also underscored the importance of collaboration with local and regional organizations to develop policies that support women’s entrepreneurship, especially in the digital space. Mentorship programs were recognized as vital, with a call for more platforms that enable networking and provide guidance from experienced leaders to help women navigate challenges and scale their businesses.
At the summit, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Malaysia also recognized ASEAN-Japan Centre as a supporting partner of the ASEAN Inclusivity Collective in championing inclusivity in business and the workplace. In honour of this collaboration, a partnership certificate was presented to Dr. Kunihiko Chris Hirabayashi, Secretary General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre.
Event highlights
ASEAN Secretary General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Japan METI Director Yumiko Hata, and Malaysia MECD Minister Ybhg. Ewon Benedick shared video messages offering welcome, opening remarks, and support for women entrepreneurs, respectively.
Keynote Speech
Dr. Dato’ Munirah Looi, Board Member of MyDigital Corp and Regional CEO of BlueOnion, gave a keynote on the importance of agility, resilience, customer experience, and employee engagement in building adaptable businesses.
Findings of the Roundtable Discussion on the Challenges on Innovation and Sustainability of Women Entrepreneurs in ASEAN and Japan
Dr. Kunihiko Hirabayashi, Secretary General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre, presented key findings from the Roundtable Discussion of Young Women Entrepreneurs in ASEAN and Japan, held on November 5-6 in La PDR, on the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in ASEAN and Japan in innovation and sustainability. He highlighted barriers such as limited access to financing, mentorship, and market opportunities. In ASEAN, infrastructure gaps and a tendency to migrate to developed markets were noted, while in Japan, traditional gender roles restrict women’s business participation. Dr. Hirabayashi stressed the need for inclusive financial ecosystems and increased support from both governments and the private sector to foster women-led innovation and sustainability.
Session 1: Harnessing AI and Digital Skills for Women-Owned Enterprises
Moderator: Dr. Heather L. Taylor-Strauss, Economist, UNESCAP
Panelists:
- Ms. Oranuch Lerdsuwankij, Co-founder and CEO, Techsauce, Thailand
- Dr. Jasmine Begum, Director of Legal, Corporate and Government Affairs for ASEAN and New Markets, Microsoft
- Dato’ Dr. Munirah Looi, Board Member of MyDigital Corp; Ex-Deputy Chair – Women in Tech – PIKOM; Advisor and Regional CEO of BlueOnion
- Ms. Lennise Ng, CEO of Borong, Malaysia
The discussion focused on the essential role of digitization as a foundation for AI adoption in women-owned businesses. The moderator emphasized the importance of robust digital infrastructure and the need for governments to shape policies that make innovation accessible to women entrepreneurs, regardless of location or socio-economic status. Panellists from Techsauce (Thailand), Microsoft, MyDigital Corp (Malaysia), and Borong (Malaysia) discussed how empowering women with digital and AI skills can drive business growth and inclusivity. The session underscored the critical need for targeted policies and investments to bridge the digital divide and support women in leveraging emerging technologies.
Session 2: Strategic Access to Finance and Gender-Smart Investments
Moderator: Ms. Fai Wechayachai, Head of Asia Market Development, GSG Impact, Thailand
Panelists:
- Dr. Melissa Foo, CEO, Malaysia Impact Alliance
- Ms. Noor Amy Ismail, Board of Directors, Wahed Ventures, Malaysia
- Ms.Naoko Ueda, Head of Tokyo Centre, OECD
- Ms. Priya Thachadi, Co-Founder and CEO, Villgro Philippines
This session spotlighted the need for investment literacy among women entrepreneurs, covering topics like grants, funds, and accessing the right networks. Discussions emphasized the importance of increasing women’s representation in investment firms to address the unique financial challenges faced by women-led businesses. Panellists from Malaysia Impact Alliance, Wahed Ventures (Malaysia), OECD Tokyo Centre, and Villgro Philippines shared insights on how targeted financial strategies and gender-smart investments can empower women entrepreneurs and foster sustainable growth for their businesses. The session underscored the need for greater financial inclusion and access to capital for women entrepreneurs across the region.
Session 3: Easing Women’s Burden: Innovations in the Care Economy
Moderator: Dr. Kunihiko Hirabayashi, MD, Secretary General, ASEAN-Japan Centre
Panelists:
- Ms. Nadira Yusoff, Founder and CEO, Kiddocare Malaysia, and Focal Point for ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN), Malaysia
- Dr. Gengpong Tangaroonsanti, MD, President of Thai Elderly Health Trade and Service Association; Hospital CEO of Chersery Home International, Thailand
- Ms. Sylwin Angdrew, General Manager, Ageing Asia, Singapore
- Mr. Jason Leong, CEO, Better Dads Malaysia, Malaysia
This session highlighted innovative solutions within the care economy, such as Kiddocare, a digital platform that connects care providers with families, enhancing both efficiency and quality in caregiving. The discussion also focused on the importance of involving fathers in caregiving responsibilities, with initiatives like Better Dads Malaysia working to challenge traditional gender roles and shift the narrative around caregiving. Additionally, Chersery Home International and Ageing Asia were featured as innovation hubs in the aging care sector, pushing forward new approaches and technologies to address the growing needs of an aging population, while also ensuring that caregiving responsibilities are more equally shared.
Session 4: Leveraging Sustainability for Growth and Impact
Moderator: Ms. Nozomi Mizuno Witherspoon, Advisor – Chop Value Japan, Board – Creatella Impact
Panelists:
- Ms. Ayaka Matsuno, Director of Social Innovation, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan
- Ms. Katrina Inandia, Head of Impact and Sustainability, Amartha, Indonesia
- Ms. Mylene Abiva, Corporate Secretary and Co-Chairperson of International Affairs, Women’s Business Council Philippines
- Ms. Sopheak Lar, Secretary General, ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network (AWEN)
This session focused on the role of sustainability in driving growth for women-owned businesses. Organizations like the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (Japan) highlighted social innovation, while Amartha (Indonesia) discussed integrating sustainability into financial models. The Women’s Business Council Philippines emphasized mentorship and networks for fostering sustainability, and ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network (AWEN) called for regional collaboration to amplify sustainable practices across ASEAN. The session underscored the importance of support systems in helping women entrepreneurs leverage sustainability for business growth.
Session 5: Closing the Gender Divide and Enabling Women-owned Enterprises to Scale
Moderator: Datuk Dr. Hafsah Hashim, Founder and Chairman of Women Leadership Foundation, Malaysia
Panelists:
- Ms. Jukhee Hong, Executive Director, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia
- Ms. Anne Abraham, Founder and Chairperson, LeadWomen, Malaysia
- Ms. Sue Yii Yap, CEO, Komuniti Tukang Jahit (KTJ), Malaysia
The discussion emphasized the importance of finance, market access, and mentorship in scaling women-owned businesses. Organizations like ASEAN-BAC Malaysia highlighted the need for inclusive policies to support women entrepreneurs, while LeadWomen discussed fostering an entrepreneurial mindset from an early age to challenge sociocultural barriers. Komuniti Tukang Jahit (KTJ) focused on creating opportunities for women in underserved sectors and helping them scale through training and resources. The session stressed the need for systemic changes in finance and support networks to enable women entrepreneurs to scale their businesses effectively.
Dinner Banquet and Networking Session
During the Dinner Banquet and Networking Session, key messages were delivered by Datuk Dr. Hafsah Hashim, Founder and Chairman of the Women Leaders Foundation, Malaysia, who emphasized the need to empower women leaders and create a supportive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs. Mr. Karimata Atsushi, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia, highlighted the importance of international collaboration in advancing women’s entrepreneurship in ASEAN and Japan. Mdm. Noor Afifah binti Abdul Razak, Deputy Secretary General of Policy and Monitoring at the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development, underscored the vital role of government policies in fostering an environment conducive to the growth of women-owned enterprises.
Programme Agenda
| Time (GMT8) | Agenda |
| 08:30-09:00 | Onsite registration / Online participants standby |
| 09:00-09:05 | Introduction Ms. Audrey Raj, Host and Emcee of the Summit |
| 09:05-09:10 | Opening Remarks Ms. Yumiko Hata (Video Message) Director, Asia and Pacific Division Trade Policy Bureau Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Japan |
| 09:10-09:15 | Welcome Remarks H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn (Video Message) Secretary General ASEAN |
| 09:15-09:20 | Message Supporting Women Entrepreneurs as Part of Malaysia’s ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship H.E. YB Datuk Ewon Benedick (Video Message) Minister Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Malaysia |
| 09:20-09:40 | Keynote Speech Breaking Barriers: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in ASEAN and Japan in the Age of AI, Innovation and Sustainability Drawing from the remarkable 30-year journey of high-level consulting on business digital transformation and change management, and through her leadership of Women in Technology under the PIKOM (National ICT Association of Malaysia), Dato’ Dr. Munirah Looi talk’s will feature the transformative power of innovation in creating opportunities for women in business. She will provide valuable insights into breaking the glass gender ceiling, leveraging technology for growth and fostering a more inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem. Speaker: Dato’ Dr. Munirah Looi, Board Member of MyDigital Corp; Ex-Deputy Chair – Women in Tech – PIKOM; Advisor and Regional CEO of BlueOnion |
| 09:40-09:55 | Presentation of the Findings of the Roundtable Discussion on the Challenges on Innovation and Sustainability of Women Entrepreneurs in ASEAN and Japan Speaker: Dr. Kunihiko Hirabayashi, MD, Secretary General, ASEAN-Japan Centre |
| 09:55-10:45 | Panel Session 1: Harnessing AI and Digital Skills for Women-Owned Enterprises How can AI and digital tools revolutionize women-owned businesses to thrive in the modern business landscape? This session will discuss practical strategies for integrating AI into business operations, ensuring cybersecurity, enhancing digital literacy, and leveraging technology to drive growth and innovation. The speakers will bring insights into overcoming common challenges, accessing resources, and creating sustainable, tech-driven enterprises. Moderator: Dr. Heather L. Taylor-Strauss, Economist, UNESCAP Panelists: 2. Ms. Oranuch Lerdsuwankij, Co-founder and CEO, Techsauce, Thailand 3. Dr. Jasmine Begum, Director of Legal, Corporate and Government Affairs for ASEAN and New Markets, Microsoft 4. Dato’ Dr. Munirah Looi, Board Member of MyDigital Corp; Ex-Deputy Chair – Women in Tech – PIKOM; Advisor and Regional CEO of BlueOnion 5. Ms. Lennise Ng, CEO of Borong, Malaysia |
| 10:45-11:00 | Q&A |
| 11:00-11:15 | Coffee break |
| 11:15-12:05 | Panel Session 2: Strategic Access to Finance and Gender-Smart Investments This session will delve into the critical role of financial access and gender-smart investments in empowering women entrepreneurs. The panelists will share insights on innovative financing solutions, the importance of gender-lens investing, and practical steps to secure funding for women-owned businesses. The discussion will include the latest trends in inclusive finance, hear success stories, and explore how targeted investments can drive economic growth and gender equality. Moderator: Ms. Fai Wechayachai, Head of Asia Market Development, GSG Impact, Thailand Panelists: 2. Dr. Melissa Foo, CEO, Malaysia Impact Alliance 3. Ms. Noor Amy Ismail, Board of Directors, Wahed Ventures, Malaysia 4. Ms.Naoko Ueda, Head of Tokyo Centre, OECD 5. Ms. Priya Thachadi, Co-Founder and CEO, Villgro Philippines |
| 12:05-12:20 | Q&A |
| 12:20-12:25 | Wrap up of morning session |
| 12:30-13:30 | Lunch Buffet |
| 13:30-14:20 | Panel Session 3: Easing Women’s Burden: Innovations in the Care Economy This session will explore innovations in the care economy aimed at reducing the burdens traditionally shouldered by women. The panelists will discuss innovative technologies and new business models that support caregiving responsibilities and promote more equity in caregiving roles in society. The discussion will provide insights into the transformative potential of technology and how it can improve work-life balance, enhance economic opportunities for women, and create more inclusive communities. Moderator: Dr. Kunihiko Hirabayashi, MD, Secretary General, ASEAN-Japan Centre Panelists: 2. Ms. Nadira Yusoff, Founder and CEO, Kiddocare Malaysia, and Focal Point for ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN), Malaysia 3. Dr. Gengpong Tangaroonsanti, MD, President of Thai Elderly Health Trade and Service Association; Hospital CEO of Chersery Home International, Thailand 4. Ms. Sylwin Angdrew, General Manager, Ageing Asia, Singapore 5. Mr. Jason Leong, CEO, Better Dads Malaysia, Malaysia |
| 14:20-14:35 | Q&A |
| 14:35-14:50 | Coffee break |
| 14:50-15:40 | Panel session 4: Leveraging Sustainability for Growth and Impact Can businesses be profitable and sustainable at the same time? This session will highlight how integrating sustainability into business practices can drive business growth and create significant positive impact in society. The panelists will share insights on how to integrate sustainable strategies that enhance business resilience, attract ethical investments, and open new market opportunities. The discussion will explore successful business cases, accessing sustainable and impact funds, and how sustainability can be a powerful catalyst for business success and societal change. Moderator: Ms. Nozomi Mizuno Witherspoon, Advisor – Chop Value Japan, Board – Creatella Impact Panelists: 2. Ms. Ayaka Matsuno, Director of Social Innovation, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan 3. Ms. Katrina Inandia, Head of Impact and Sustainability, Amartha, Indonesia 4. Ms. Mylene Abiva, Corporate Secretary and Co-Chairperson of International Affairs, Women’s Business Council Philippines 5. Ms. Sopheak Lar, Secretary General, ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs’ Network (AWEN) |
| 15:40-15:55 | Q&A |
| 15:55-16:45 | Panel Session 5: Closing the Gender Divide and Enabling Women-owned Enterprises to Scale This session will focus on strategies to bridge the gender divide and support the growth of women-owned enterprises. The panelists will discuss the challenges women entrepreneurs face, share successful case studies, and explore policies and initiatives that promote gender equality in business. Moderator: Datuk Dr. Hafsah Hashim, Founder and Chairman of Women Leadership Foundation, Malaysia Panelists: 2. Ms. Jukhee Hong, Executive Director, ASEAN-BAC Malaysia 4. Ms. Anne Abraham, Founder and Chairperson, LeadWomen, Malaysia 5. Ms. Sue Yii Yap, CEO, Komuniti Tukang Jahit (KTJ), Malaysia |
| 16:45-17:00 | Q&A |
| 17:00-17:05 | Awarding of ASEAN Inclusivity Collective Partner to ASEAN-Japan Centre 1. Ms. Jukhee Hong, Executive Director of ASEAN Business Advisory Council Malaysia 2. Dr. Kunihiko Hirabayashi, Secretary-General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre |
| 17:05-17:10 | Closing Remarks Speaker: Ms. Sarah Rauzana, Chairperson, ASEAN Youth Organization |
| 18:15-20:00 | Dinner Banquet and Networking Session Selected speakers and guests of honor (35 persons) Message from the Founder and Chairman of Women Leaders Foundation, Malaysia Speaker: Datuk Dr. Hafsah Hashim Message from Minister, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Malaysia Speaker: Mr. Karimata Atsushi Message from Deputy Secretary General, Policy and Monitoring, Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Speaker: Mdm. Noor Afifah binti Abdul Razak Dinner Toast Dr. Kunihiko Hirabayashi, MD, Secretary General, ASEAN-Japan Centre Special Performances |
[Contact]
info_rpa@asean.or.jp
Research & Policy Advocacy Team
ASEAN-Japan Centre
