Tue. Apr 30th, 2024

Editor’s Note: In a groundbreaking initiative to bolster economic empowerment and digital inclusivity, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) have introduced the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, a visionary $50 million global fund. Aimed squarely at women-led businesses and female entrepreneurs, particularly in the developing and least-developed nations, the WEIDE Fund represents a significant leap towards bridging the digital divide. By fostering access to digital technologies and enhancing online business presence, this fund is set to play a pivotal role in enabling women to leverage the burgeoning opportunities of the digital economy and international trade.

This initiative not only highlights the necessity of gender-inclusive trade policies but also aligns with the global movement towards economic inclusivity, resonating with similar empowerment efforts worldwide. From Estonia’s support for Syrian refugees to Moldova’s focus on women in tourism, the WEIDE Fund adds a crucial layer to the global tapestry of initiatives aiming to uplift women’s economic participation. With the digital realm as its battleground, this fund is poised to address key challenges, including access to finance, thereby equipping women entrepreneurs with the tools they need to thrive in the digital marketplace.

For professionals in cybersecurity, information governance, and eDiscovery, the launch of the WEIDE Fund underscores the evolving landscape of global digital trade and the imperative for inclusive growth. It highlights the importance of integrating digital resilience and equity into the broader narrative of economic empowerment, offering insights into how technology can serve as a catalyst for gender equality and economic development.


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Industry News – Investment Beat

WTO and ITC Launch $50M Fund to Champion Women in Global Digital Economy

ComplexDiscovery Staff

In a remarkable stride toward economic empowerment and digital inclusion, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) announced the launch of a USD 50 million global fund aimed at aiding women in harnessing the opportunities presented by international trade and the growing digital economy. This initiative, christened the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, seeks to assist women-led businesses and female entrepreneurs, especially in developing and least-developed countries, to adopt digital technologies and enhance their online enterprise presence.

The unveiling of the WEIDE Fund was part of the highlight events at the 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, underscoring the pressing need for gender-inclusive trade policies. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in her announcement, emphasized the significant growth of digital trade, particularly digitally delivered services trade, which has been increasing at an average of 8% since 2005. “In the era of digital trade, those who were left behind in the first wave of globalization have the opportunity to benefit now and do things differently. Digitalization presents us with unprecedented opportunities to empower women entrepreneurs, level the playing field, and foster inclusive growth,” said Okonjo-Iweala.

Echoing this sentiment, ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton cited access to finance as a primary barrier for women in developing countries to engage in trade. “With this new Fund, women entrepreneurs will have the resources they need to do business across borders and online,” she affirmed.

The launch of the WEIDE Fund comes at a time when the discourse around women’s economic participation is gaining momentum, resonating well with Estonia’s own advancements in supporting Syrian refugees through education and entrepreneurship projects. Annika Leek, a project manager at the Estonian Center for International Development (ESTDEV), highlighted the dual approach of fostering self-reliance through entrepreneurship in Jordan and enhancing access to education and income-generating activities in Lebanon and Turkey. Her work aligns with the WEIDE Fund’s objectives of empowering women for a more equitable economic landscape.

Similarly, initiatives to empower young women in the tourism sector in Moldova address Sustainable Development Goals like gender equality and economic growth. The Invest Moldova Agency, in collaboration with Moldova State University, embarked on a mission to upgrade the skills and capabilities of women in the country. Andrei Chistol, State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova, spoke of rural tourism as a priority and how training 200 women in the sector contributes significantly to community development and growth.

The UAE, host of the Ministerial Conference, is also placing financial weight behind the WEIDE Fund, with a contribution of $5 million. Dr. Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the UAE, conveyed the nation’s commitment to empowering women in trade to unlock the full potential of their economies: “Improving access to finance is essential to that goal. This new Fund is a significant step, enabling brilliant women entrepreneurs to find the capital they need to turn ideas into successful and growing companies,” he stated.

As the WEIDE Fund gears up to open for applications from women exporters in the second quarter of 2024, the wave of support for women in trade reflects a broader narrative of digital transformation enabling more equitable economic participation. This narrative is driven by international organizations, governments, and non-government entities alike, setting the stage for a future where everyone has a chance to benefit from the digital economy.

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