Austrade media release

24 June 2007

As women shatter the glass ceiling by creating thriving export enterprises, hundreds of leading female politicians, academics and business women from APEC economies will gather in Port Douglas today for Austrade’s Women in Export Trade Day.

Speaking at the trade day that kicks-off the APEC Women Leaders Network (WLN) meeting, Australia’s Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport & Regional Services, De-Anne Kelly said five of the six countries with the highest number of women in senior management roles are from APEC nations. 

“The Philippines is the leading nation with 50 per cent of women in senior business roles,” Mrs Kelly said.  “Thailand, Hong Kong, Russia and the People’s Republic in China all have over 34 per cent, while Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, the United States and Singapore have around 22 per cent. 

“Since its inception in Canberra in 1989, APEC has grown to 21 members, representing the most economically dynamic region in the world – and accounting for almost half of world trade,” she said.

Attending today’s meeting the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Women’s Issues, Julie Bishop said the Trade Day and APEC WLN was an important opportunity for Australian women to network with other women leaders from the region.

“APEC is the premier forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region and hosting this important meeting of influential business women is a great opportunity for Australia,” Ms Bishop said.

Today’s Trade Day will raise awareness of the types of assistance and tools available to fast-track export success according to Jenny Mathews, leader of Austrade’s Women in Export Program and Austrade’s West Australian State Manager. 

“Most business women that have succeeded in selling their goods or services in Australia first are then capable of becoming successful exporters if they want to expand their reach and increase their bottom line,” Ms Mathews said. 

Chief Executive, Australian Industry Group and Chair of the APEC WLN, Heather Ridout said the APEC WLN will be a most important event involving more than 400 delegates.

“Bringing together women from all over our region with their Australian counterparts will be a celebration of female business leadership and their contribution to APEC,” Ms Ridout said. 

“I want the Network meeting to be a great demonstration of the influence of women in APEC economies and to put on show the capabilities of women exporters. 

“It will also be a demonstration of the shared interests and responsibilities of women across the APEC economies.  It will be a great experience for all involved,” she said.

Austrade’s Chief Economist Tim Harcourt said countries do better when they have economic participation from women

“Our trading partners are increasingly having women earning incomes in turn, they have become important consumers,” Mr Harcourt said. 

A 2001 US study of Fortune 500 companies found businesses that employed a high number of women executives, outperformed competitors in their industry, and companies that scored the best in terms of promoting women were consistently more profitable.

The 21 APEC Member Economies are: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.

Media contact

Name:  Karla Davies
Tel:      +61 2 9390 2745
Mob:     0421 288 755
Email:   karla.davies@austrade.gov.au

For further news and information from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) visit www.austrade.gov.au//mediacentre.