Jakarta (ANTARA) – Chair of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Arsjad Rasjid emphasized that women’s leadership is an inseparable part of supporting ASEAN’s vision to become the world’s center of growth.Rasjid believes that this is in line with the ASEAN-BAC theme of “ASEAN Centrality: Innovating towards Greater Inclusivity” in which inclusivity becomes the main key. “When we talk about inclusivity, we must ensure women’s leadership is also part of this. We want the younger generation to be part of this. We want people with disabilities to be part of this. We do not want to leave anyone behind,” he affirmed. He made the statement here on Saturday after serving as speaker at the ASEAN Women CEO Forum 2023. Rasjid, who concurrently serves as chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), noted that inclusivity is ASEAN’s motto under Indonesia’s chairmanship. “This (inclusivity) is not my word but also of all stakeholders that I spoke to, in all ASEAN countries, including Timor-Leste,” he remarked. To this end, ASEAN-BAC continues to encourage women’s empowerment, especially in the business sector in the region, through efforts, including encouraging companies in the region to create more women leaders. “For example, how we encourage women’s empowerment more. Hence, (it is about) how companies in ASEAN countries can create more women leaders. That is the key,” he remarked. The ASEAN Women CEO Forum is one of the side events of the series of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia. The forum aims to provide a space for women to share their stories and inspire one another. The forum is also a side event of the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.

Source: Antara News Agency