The main objective of this contribution is to increase opportunities for women-led businesses in international trade, allowing them to expand their digital and export skills.
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El Kingdom of Bahrain has formalized a contribution of 200.000 dólares estadounidenses al Fund for Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE), a joint initiative of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Trade Center (ITC).
The memorandum of understanding was signed at the headquarters of the WTO in GenevaThe contribution underlines Bahrain's commitment to the economic empowerment of women through digital commerce and the creation of inclusive growth, with a particular focus on supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) led by women.
El WEIDE Fund, launched in February 2024 at the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, is endowed with $50 million and is jointly administered by the WTO and the ITC. The Fund provides essential tools such as grants, mentoring and access to international business networks for businesswomen to take advantage of digital commerce and compete effectively in global markets.
To date, the WEIDE Fund has launched calls for applications in the Dominican Republic, Mongolia, Nigeria and Jordan, receiving thousands of applications.
La Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO, welcomed Bahrain's decision. "This contribution demonstrates a strong commitment to trade, empowering women entrepreneurs, and ensuring that they are equipped to seize the opportunities of digital trade," said Okonjo-Iweala, adding that Bahrain's accession to the WEIDE Fund contributes to building a more inclusive global trading system.
For her part, the Executive Director of the ITC, Pamela Coke-Hamilton, described Bahrain's support as "timely and impactful" as it will allow reach more women entrepreneurs who face obstacles in accessing international markets.
His Excellency Mr. Abdulla Abdullatif Abdulla, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations Office at Geneva, emphasized that the contribution reflects Bahrain's commitment to "enhancing women's participation in global trade and supporting inclusive and sustainable economic growth." She also mentioned that the initiative is aligned with the vision of Bahrain's leaders and the dedication of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Women, to promoting women's economic empowerment in the digital economy.
To date, the WEIDE Fund has launched calls in the Dominican Republic, Mongolia, Nigeria, and Jordan, receiving thousands of applications. Contributions from the United Arab Emirates, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ Legacy Fund, and now the Kingdom of Bahrain are instrumental in translating this global vision into reality. concrete results for women in trade.
