The Singapore Women Entrepreneurs Network (SG-WEN), a network which aims to bring together women entrepreneurs in Singapore and connect them with other women entrepreneurs, business leaders and trade associations in the Asia-Pacific, in particular the ASEAN member states, commemorated its first anniversary milestone at the SBF Center today. Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and National Development, was the Guest-of-Honour at the event, which was attended by about 60 participants. 

Since the launch of SG-WEN a year ago, its membership has grown to close to 400 members. To support women in their entrepreneurship journey, SG-WEN has organised networking and knowledge sharing sessions on topics such as Sustainability & ESG, Internationalisation and Entrepreneurship, for them to better connect and build business capabilities. This year, SG-WEN successfully nominated five outstanding Singapore entrepreneurs for the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN) Awards, which recognises women entrepreneurs in ASEAN member states for their contributions to their industries and to advancing the economic status of women in the region. 

In conjunction with the commemoration of SG-WEN’s first anniversary, a sponsorship agreement between SBF and The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Singapore branch (HSBC Singapore) was inked by Mr Lam Yi Young, Chief Executive Officer of SBF and Ms Regina Lee, Head (Commercial Banking) of HSBC Singapore. Ms Rachel Eng, Chairperson of the SG-WEN Executive Committee (Exco) and Minister Indranee Rajah witnessed the signing. 

The sponsorship from HSBC Singapore will support SG-WEN’s activities and give Singapore women entrepreneurs access to HSBC’s Female Entrepreneur Programme, which aims to provide support to help them scale and grow their business. The agreement also enables SG-WEN and HSBC Singapore to explore and host joint events to support and strengthen the dynamic women entrepreneur community in Singapore. 

Mr Lam Yi Young, Chief Executive Officer of SBF said, “Since its launch on 21 September 2021, SG-WEN has supported women entrepreneurs in Singapore through various initiatives and activities that have been well received by its growing membership. The successful first year of SG-WEN would not have been possible without the hard work of the SG-WEN Exco headed by Ms Rachel Eng.”

Ms Rachel Eng, Chairperson of the SG-WEN Exco said, “I am proud of the work that SG-WEN has accomplished in our first year. With the support of my fellow Exco members, SG-WEN has made good progress in its four focal areas . We have engaged senior government officials on issues affecting the women entrepreneur community, organised workshops and networking events to facilitate knowledge sharing in the community, and also started to engage and dialogue with other women groups in Singapore and the region. The signing of the sponsorship agreement caps off a productive and fulfilling year for SBF and SG-WEN. I look forward to working with HSBC Singapore to further develop and strengthen the women entrepreneur community in Singapore.” 

Ms Regina Lee, Head of Commercial Banking, HSBC Singapore said, “Building and growing a business is no easy feat, and for female founders in a male-dominated world, building a strong support network is essential. Our sponsorship of the Singapore Women Entrepreneurs Network reflects our commitment to empower female entrepreneurs and help them take their business to the next level through the HSBC Female Entrepreneur Programme.”