On May 14, 2026, the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance hosted a session “Expanding the horizons of cooperation among women entrepreneurs” within the framework of the XVII International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: Kazanforum”.
The session was moderated by Anna Nesterova, Chairperson of the Russian Chapter of the BRICS WBA.
Speakers of the session included:
- Saliza Abdullah, President of the National association of women entrepreneurs of Malaysia; Chairperson of the BRICS WBA Regional Office in Malaysia;
- Kim Tol Tan, AWEN Focal Point Cambodia;
- Minh Thi Tuet Nguyen, Chairperson of the Council of Women Entrepreneurs of Vietnam, AWEN Founder;
- Boufamany Chunarmany, Member of the Board of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Laos, Deputy AWEN Focal Point Laos;
- Maika Nurhayati, Deputy Chair of the Indonesian Association of Women Entrepreneurs on healthcare (IWAPI); Representative of BRICS WBA Indonesia;
- Lodvigova Evgeniya, Deputy Head of the Municipality of Kazan.
During the discussion, the participants presented the export potential of women’s businesses in their nations, analyzed existing challenges (logistical, financial and regulatory) and identified optimal mechanisms and tools to reduce administrative and operational barriers to trade.
Together, the BRICS, ASEAN, and SCO countries account for well over half of the world’s population and more than a third of global GDP.
But what is even more important – behind all these numbers are millions of women entrepreneurs. Today, women-owned businesses already make a significant contribution to GDP growth in our regions, and their role in cross-border trade is steadily increasing
Anna Nesterova
Chairperson of the Russian Chapter of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance
The participants also proposed establishing a BRICS – ASEAN Business Umbrella Platform, a shared platform that brings networks, regional offices, and women entrepreneurs into one continuous space of cooperation.
This platform should integrate diverse formats:
- mentorship programs for early‑stage founders and startups,
- educational webinars and workshops for established business leaders,
- structured and coordinated business matchmaking for women entrepreneurs,
- and a regular, open business dialogue to identify shared challenges and co‑create solutions that drive the prosperity of BRICS and ASEAN economies.
