BINTULU: Entrepreneurship is one of the effective ways to empower women’s role in the state especially in economic activity, said Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah.
She said under her ministry in the Women Bureau, their target is to empower women, especially those from the low income group so they can earn extra income and move out from poverty level.
“We want to see our women, build up their potential in any field, what is important is we must grab the opportunity and be up-to-date, able to stand on our own feet, at the same time, we don’t neglect our family’s well-being,” said Fatimah.
She was speaking as guest-of-honour during the official opening of Avon Boutique Bintulu at Parkcity Commerce Square yesterday.
She added that business women must be able to adapt to changes in their surrounding in order to be more competitive.
Of which, Information Technology (IT) is a critical area for women to learn if they want to survive in a competitive market.
“Facebook (FB) is an effective medium of communication, we in Social Welfare Department (JKM) also collect related information from the Internet. It is an effective medium if used properly,” she said.
Thus she urged women in the state to keep abreast with all the IT technologies because lots of businesses go online and they cannot be left behind in the process.
At the same time, she applauded Jessie Bong who is the owner of the Avon Boutique, for successfully setting up a new centre in Bintulu.
“(For) Every successful woman, there is a greater support from their husbands,” said Fatimah adding that their own commitment and discipline and vision also contribute to their success, especially in entrepreneurship.
Bong’s success, she said, should be an inspiration to other women to achieve something that they can be proud of.
According to Fatimah, Avon is a product of quality and affordable for the middle income and students. “There is so much competition in the market of the cosmetics industry, with lots of brands introduced since the establishment of Avon about 137 years ago. “
It is able to stay competitive and did not disappear on the horizon, with its continuous promotion, research and development, marketing research, and Avon managed to stay afloat and attract new customers,” she said.
She also encouraged women to get involve in direct sales for example by becoming an Avon representative because they can start with small capital in the business and can work from home, whereas some businesses need a premises that would increase operational cost.
However to be successful they must learn soft skills, how to communicate and persuade their clients.
“Once you are successful, don’t forget to contribute to the society, what you give, you’ll get back,” Fatimah added.
Bong has years of experience in the business and had won Top 1 Zone Manager title in Malaysia in February 2013 (Kuala Lumpur) and won the Pearl of Asia title in Asia Region in March 2013 (Singapore). Also present during the function were Bintulu district officer Tuah Suni and wife, Kapitan Ting Khai Tung, Bong’s husband Henry Chua and their business partners John Ngu and his wife Tiong Nguok Hiong.
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