KUALA LUMPUR, 17 SEPTEMBER, 2011: Some 21 ministers and deputy ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) member countries have unanimously agreed to adopt the San Francisco Declaration which focuses on four key areas involving women's participation in economy.

The four areas are initiatives to improve access to capital, access to markets, capacity and skills building and women's leadership.

The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry in a statement issued here today, said the declaration, adopted at the Apec Women and Economy Summit in San Francisco, United States (US) reflected the importance of women's participation and role in making an impact to economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

The four-day summit, which began on Sept 13 and was chaired by US Secretary of State Senator Hillary Clinton, and was attended by more than 600 participants, comprising government officers entrusted with matters on economy, trade and small and medium enterprises, experts on gender, non-governmental organisations, leaders in the private sector and the business community.

The Malaysian delegation was led by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil. Also in the delegation was Malaysia's Ambassador to the US, Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis.
  
   
When delivering the country's intervention, Shahrizat said women were the key drivers for economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

Towards this end, she said, the Malaysian government had taken the initiative by implementing a policy for women to hold at least 30 percent of decision making posts.

During the conference, two Malaysian women entrepreneurs, Natural Wellness Industri Sdn Bhd managing director Shahnas Oli Mohamed and Transmaris Techno-Sciences Sdn Bhd managing Zabedah Mohamed received APEC recognition for their business innovations.

- Bernama