Tuesday, September 4, 2012

WEConnect International to launch Jamaica Chapter



by R. Christene King
 Major limitations to the economic empowerment of women in the Caribbean, including Jamaica, are limited access to global markets and networks.
 WEConnect International provides a solution to these challenges by connecting women to global markets, providing the resources, tools and certification needed to access these markets and win contracts, and connect women to a global network of other women in business.
Based in Washington, D.C., WEConnect International has since 2009 provided certification, resources, mentoring and peer/corporate connections to businesses based outside the United States that are at least 51 per cent owned, managed and controlled by one or more women.  
WEConnect Jamaica will be launched in Jamaica in the first quarter of 2013, and will provide a unique opportunity for Jamaican women to access global markets for their goods and services.
Spearheaded by local entrepreneurs, Yaneek Page and Ethnie Miller-Simpson, the partnership arose from their participation at the Caribbean Women Entrepreneurs Forum, which took place in Washington DC in March 2012 and was coordinated by the US Department of State. 
Page and Miller-Simpson were introduced to WEConnect International during the forum and later convinced Elizabeth Vazquez, WEConnect CEO and co-founder, to expand the organization to the Caribbean region, starting with Jamaica.
Though the formal launch of WEConnect Jamaica will take place in the first quarter of 2013, the partnership agreement has already been executed and interested women may begin self registering now at http://www.weconnectinternational.org/join-our-network/women-business-owners-get-self-registered
WEConnect International is the first organization to certify and register women-owned businesses in developed and emerging markets.
“WEConnect International is committed to working with our partners to empower women business owners in Jamaica,” said WEConnect CEO and co-founder Elizabeth Vazquez, “because if we expect women to play a more powerful role in building sustainable economies, women entrepreneurs must find success in larger markets.”
The WEConnect International network has expanded worldwide to include partners in Canada, UK, Australia, China, India and Peru, where women business owners have been afforded the resources and networks required to successfully compete on an international basis.
WEConnect corporate members include Coca Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Scotiabank, IBM, HP, Apple, RBC, RIM, Microsoft, Walmart, Ernst & Young, Marriott, Accenture, Mastercard and many others.
__________________________________________________________
Contact: Yaneek Page, Managing Director, Future Services International Ltd
Tel: (876) 960-9554, (876) 906-9553  Cel: (876) 818-0879

Ethnie Miller Simpson, CEO, Zinergy International
Tel.: (876) 906-6632; (876) 381-5844


R Christene King

Journalist, editor, publisher
Pure Class
6 Evans Avenue
Kingston 8

Tel:        +1876-969-6341 (o)
+1876-361-0331 (c)


August 31, 2012

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