As a partnership forum between government and private sector, APEC has a major role to encourage women`s role in the economy and as the host of APEC 2013, Indonesia has commitment to give more attention for women in economy issue as the APEC`s main a
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa addressed the Women and the Economy Summit (WES), an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting. in San Francisco, USA. on Sept 16.

The minister was one of the speakers on the topic "Inclusion of Women in Economic Growth Strategies". He also gave Indonesia`s view at High LEvel Policy Dialogue led by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement here on Saturday.

The meeting issued a San Francisvo Declaration which had four cooperation plans to improve women`s role in the economy that was the enhancement their access to capital, markets, capacity and skills and also access to leadership.

Minister Marty said the importance of raising public awareness regarding women`s role in economy, particularly to overcome global financial crisis which still haunting international community.

"The leadership and the cooperation of all stakeholders are a must to improve women roles in economic sector; women proved they have a great contribution in global economic recovery " he said.

In Indonesia, according to Marty, women play a big role in economic sector that is to run 39 percent of all small and micro enterprises and 18 percent of medium and big enterprises. The SMEs that`s run by women increase 42 percent in one last decade.

"Women`s role to move the economy especially in SMEs is indisputable," he said.

Foreign ministers underlines APEC`s contribution to encourage women`s participation in economy both in government sector as decision maker as well as in the private sector as economic actors.

"As a partnership forum between government and private sector, APEC has a major role to encourage women`s role in the economy and as the host of APEC 2013, Indonesia has commitment to give more attention for women in economy issue as the APEC`s main agenda," he noted.

The minister also attend informal meeting with US Secretary of State, Foreign Minister of Australia, Foreign Minister of Malaysia and Deputy of Foreign Minister Japan on the sidelines of WES meeting. (*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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