In a landmark event held at The Female Quotient Equality Lounge at the 2024 Cannes Festival of Creativity, Dr. Anino Emuwa, founder of 100 Women @ Davos, and Branisalava Simanic, Director of Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Serbia representing the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote entrepreneurship, with a specific focus on female entrepreneurship. This partnership seeks to enhance growth, create opportunities, and enhance visibility for women entrepreneurs in both Serbia and the global arena. Watch HERE.
100 Women @ Davos – A Pioneering Initiative
Dr. Anino Emuwa and 100 Women @ Davos – Empowering Female Leaders
Dr. Anino Emuwa brings over 25 years of experience in banking, international management consulting, and research to this initiative. As a former corporate banker with Citibank and the founder of Avandis Consulting, she deeply understands the financial and strategic challenges entrepreneurs face. Her establishment of 100 Women @ Davos—a community of influential CEOs and founders—demonstrates her commitment to enabling leadership growth, facilitating international visibility, and providing access to decision-making platforms at a global level.
Dr. Emuwa emphasised, “We are thrilled to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chamber of Commerce, marking a significant step towards business and technical cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and Avandis Consulting. This partnership aims to promote and develop entrepreneurship with a focus on female entrepreneurship, recognising its crucial role in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, promoting economic equality, and uplifting communities. We look forward to announcing our exciting steps under this agreement in the next few months.”
“We are empowering women and making change in workplaces, but we’re actually fostering a business environment for women to thrive and this memorandum is just a pure example of that”, she added.
Government of Serbia: Championing Female Entrepreneurship
The Chamber of Commerce Serbia, represented by the Director, Branisalava Simanic, is a pivotal organisation that supports the Serbian business community. The Serbian government has shown commendable initiative in supporting female entrepreneurship. By signing this MoU, Serbia aims to bolster its entrepreneurial landscape and promote the participation of women in business. This collaboration is expected to create a conducive environment for female entrepreneurs, offering them access to funding, mentorship, and international networks.
The government’s commitment to this cause was highlighted by Branisalava Simanica who stated, “We are here to sign this memorandum of understanding and we strongly believe that it will be one big step for our business women and I truly believe that in the future, we could do a lot of things to empower our women.”
A Milestone Event
The signing ceremony at the Female Quotient Equality Lounge at the Cannes Festival of Creativity 2024 was significant, symbolising the shared commitment to advancing female entrepreneurship. The Female Quotient, known for its efforts in promoting gender equality, provided an ideal setting for this historic agreement. The lounge is a hub for thought leaders and change-makers who are dedicated to closing the gender gap and fostering a more inclusive business environment.
Speaking on the signing at The Equality Lounge, Shelley Zalis, Founder & CEO, of The Female Quotient said, “I’m just so proud of this moment because I actually think when women support other women, we all rise and this is how it starts and this partnership is how we power one another and is also how we add economic growth to the world. When you give women an opportunity to grow, to thrive, we actually take that challenge, we exceed it and we shatter the glass.”
Looking Ahead
The partnership between 100 Women @ Davos and the Chamber of Commerce Serbia marks a new chapter in the quest for gender equality in entrepreneurship. By pooling their expertise, resources, and networks, these organisations are poised to make a substantial impact on the entrepreneurial landscape, particularly for women.
This MOU is not just a formal agreement; it is a promise to work towards a future where female entrepreneurs have equal opportunities to thrive and succeed. The collaboration is expected to inspire other organisations and countries to follow suit, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and equitable global economy.
The initiatives born from this partnership will undoubtedly pave the way for a new generation of female entrepreneurs, equipped with the tools and support they need to overcome challenges and achieve their business aspirations. As we look to the future, the combined efforts of 100 Women @ Davos and the Chamber of Commerce Serbia stand as a beacon of progress and empowerment for women around the world.
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