Businesswomen seek support in global arena

Top Thai businesswomen yesterday called for the government's support in promoting the role of women in international markets.

At a brainstorming session organised by the National Council of Women of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen, female executives shared ideas on how to increase their role in driving economic growth.

Businesswomen were urged to prepare for the challenges that will accompany the liberalisation of trade within Asean, especially with the full implementation of the Asean Economic Community in 2015.

Khunying Natthika Wattanavekin Angubolkul, president of the council, said, "Nowadays, we see fewer obstacles facing women in the workplace and in doing business. There are many opportunities open to women in the business sector.

"However, the success of businesswomen has been limited to local markets. They have not been recognised internationally," said Natthika.

She urged the government to take a lead in finding new international opportunities for Thai businesswomen.

Mall Group executive vice president Supaluck Umpujh said the government should create a multi-tiered strategic plan to develop businesswomen depending on their type of business and skill level. Working women, middle-class businesswomen and female entrepreneurs face diverse obstacles and problems at their jobs and in running their businesses, she said.

Working women at the grass-roots level, for example, are burdened with a high level of informal debt and are in need of financial-management training, Supaluck said.

Channel 7 chief Surang Prempree said the government should create initiatives to develop the skills and capabilities of businesswomen, especially those in small and medium-sized businesses, who face problems accessing capital, among other things. The government should act on their behalf by promoting trade and negotiating deals abroad, Surang said.

Dr Nalinee Paiboon, president of Giffarine Skyline Unity, who has been involved in domestic and international businesses for almost 20 years, said Thai women had the necessary business skills, but were at a disadvantage when it came to communicating in English.

"Without English skills, we cannot negotiate with foreign businesspeople. Many Thai women who are business owners, especially of small and medium-sized enterprises, have excellent product and business vision, but cannot communicate with foreign business partners or customers when abroad," she said.

"We're lagging behind China, whose businesspeople have dramatically improved their English skills in recent years," Nalinee added.

Kaewjai Phaoenchoke McDonald, chief executive officer of Thai Rung Union Car Group, said Thai businesswomen still lack vocational skills, which are not taught at universities. Training staff to acquire such skills is recognised as a serious expense in terms of money and time, Kaewjai said.

Dr Chonchanok Viravan, a former president of the International Federation of Business and Professional Women, said the government should support businesswomen who are innovative in terms of science and technology, and help them commercialise their research and development work, by lowering the business risk they need to take in the effort to see good returns.

Patra Sila-On, chairwoman of S&P Syndicate, said the country's service industry, especially the restaurant sector, faces a major shortage of working women, especially at the operational level.

The ideas raised at yesterday's session will be presented at the Apec Women and the Economy Summit to be held in the middle of this month in the United States.