On 25 November this year, in the conference hall of the IEC “Moldexpo” was held the first Forum of Women Innovators and Entrepreneurs from the Republic of Moldova. The event was organized by the State Agency on Intellectual Property (AGEPI) in cooperation with the Association of Women Innovators of the Republic of Moldova (AFIRM). The Forum was held within the framework of the International Specialized Exhibition “INFOINVENT”, which is held on 25-28 November, at IEC “MOLDEXPO”.
The aim of the Women Innovators and Entrepreneurs Forum of the Republic of Moldova was to develop social activism and entrepreneurship spirit among women and to promote creative, innovative and inventive potential. Another objective of the event was to build the feminine capacities of action and leadership, by information, encouragement and offering new opportunities, and develop partnerships with national and international institutions.
The event was attended by members of the Association AFIRM, Organization for Small and Medium Enterprises Sector Development (ODIMM), Global Entrepreneurial Network (GEN Moldova) and representatives of the Professional and Business Women’s Association of the Republic of Moldova (AFPAM). Women inventors participating in the ISE “INFOINVENT” were also present.
The Forum was moderated by the President of AFIRM Lilia Bolocan. With a welcome speech also came the World Intellectual Property Organization representative in “INFOINVENT”, Virag Halgand, who stressed the importance of women in society, in economic life and that necessary attention should be paid to women inventors.
During the meeting, there were heard a number of presentations. Lilia Bolocan talked about the creation of the Association of Women Innovators of the Republic of Moldova, as well as AFIRM’s objectives and perspectives. In turn, Ludmila Stihi, Head of ODIMM Division, informed the participants about the activities and achievements of the National Platform of Women of the Republic of Moldova. At the same time, Olesea Fortuna, President of GEN Moldova, presented the high voltage networking for Women Entrepreneurs. About the feminine entrepreneurship as an engine of job creation spoke Angela Chicu, President of AFPAM. The presentations focused on identifying problems and solutions facing women entrepreneurs.
At the end of the event, participants in the Forum of Women Innovators and Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Moldova have declared their readiness to meet more often to discuss in detail about the problems they face and about how to identify their skills and abilities to start and run a business, as well as elements that help in balancing family life with running a business.