Striving to Empower Micro & Small Women-Led Business

A World Bank report revealed that only 54% of Malaysian micro and small enterprises use digital solutions, with this issue particularly prominent amongst women-led businesses which face additional barriers, including access to technology and financing.

In line with this concern, earlier this week, The Asia Foundation in partnership with Mastercard launched Strive Malaysia, which wants to support the growth and digitalization of 100,000 Malaysian micro and small businesses, with a particular emphasis on women-owned and women-led businesses.

Today on Biz Bytes we explore the challenges that women-led and owned small businesses face and what can be done to better support them and address the gaps that are present in the ecosystem.

Helping us with this discussion were Sharifah Shahirah Idid, Program Lead at the Asia Foundation, who’s leading Strive Malaysia, and Nuraizah Shamsul Baharin, Managing Director of MADCash, an initiative that provides access to micro-funds for women entrepreneurs that want to upgrade a micro business. She was also the President of WENA (Women Entrepreneur Network of Malaysia) for 2018-2022.

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