By  LYDIA NATHAN / Pic By MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) aims to encourage women entrepreneurs and traders to expand their businesses and showcase their talent during the WomenFest Malaysia event this year.

“We hope to see women entrepreneurs, who start locally, grow and move on to global markets as well as use this event as a platform to contribute to the nation’s economic growth,” said Matrade Lifestyle Unit director Abu Bakar Yusof at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

“Among the 20,000 Matrade members, 15% of the enterprises are run by women but we want to see more,” he added.

As part of its initiatives to highlight local capabilities in the fashion industry to international purchasers and transform the industry into a key export contributor, Abu Bakar said Matrade is inviting foreign buyers to attend the event.

WomenFest Malaysia will be held on Oct 28 and 29, 2017, with over 100 retail brands participating, including local and global brands from Singapore and Indonesia. The event will feature the latest apparel, accessories, cosmetics and other women-related products.

Firm Motion Sdn Bhd spokes-person Zairul Haziq told reporters that the company is putting the event together and expects up to 100,000 women to attend.

“We have 60 out of the total 180 booths already taken and expect all booths to be occupied during the event. Between 70% and 80% of the vendors are women, and two types of booths are available, normal and premium booths, costing approximately RM3,900 per booth,” he said.

He said the event is expected to cost around RM850,000 and participants will have an option of donating 3% of their total sales to WomenFest Malaysia at the end of the event.

Meanwhile, Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said WomenFest Malaysia will highlight October as “Breast Cancer Awareness Month” and raise funds to support various related agencies.

“KPWKM will be contributing a mobile breast cancer check-up truck for visitors to have free mammograms and get health tips. Between May and June this year, we did 337,524 screenings all over the country and will continue to encourage women to get regular checkups,” she said.

WomenFest Malaysia is free for visitors and will be held at the Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur.