Ivanka Trump’s goal to boost women entrepreneurs in the developing world with an international $2.6 billion fund is taking root.
Two years after kicking off the Women’s Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative through the World Bank, Trump on Friday plans to herald its successes at a meeting of global supporters.
“Investing in women and engaging more women in the workforce is not only the right thing to do, it’s good business,” she plans to tell the group assembled at the World Bank in Washington.
The initiative, nicknamed We-Fi, is one of a handful of international programs spearheaded by the president’s daughter and key adviser that are aimed at spreading U.S. influence abroad, especially with women.
The United States contributed $50 million to the program aimed at helping women in countries where they face discrimination get loans and start businesses. Trump was a successful businesswoman before joining the White House staff as adviser to the president, and for no salary.
The We-Fi program expects to provide support to more than 100,000 women-owned businesses around the world.
Trump has led many of the administration’s job and investment efforts, such as the White House “Pledge to America’s Workers” which encourages firms to promise to add jobs.
At the Friday event, officials said three women entrepreneurs already helped by the public-private program will speak.
In excerpts of her speech provided to Secrets, Trump plans to stress the importance of We-Fi, the Women Entrepreneurs Opportunity Facility, and the Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, which aims to help 50 million women in the developing world by 2025.
“Now, more than ever, it is important that we continue to work collectively and use initiatives like W-GDP to ensure women have the opportunity to not only participate but to thrive in our global economy,” Trump plans to say.
She adds, “The private sector is a critical partner in our mission to address barriers to women’s economic empowerment. Whether it be through financial services, technical assistance, mentorship, or beyond — the opportunities for public-private partnership are plentiful.”
The Friday event will feature World Bank Group President David Malpass, Goldman Sachs chief David Solomon, and Santander Group’s Ana Botin and take place during annual World Bank and International Monetary Fund meetings.
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