Civil Society Forum 2006 Annual Meetings Michael Klein, Vice President and Chief Economist, International Finance Corporation

Presentation Outline " Forget China, India and the internet: economic growth is driven by women." - The Economist, April 15-21, 2006  Women’s contribution to trade is significant  Challenges and Opportunities  What IFC is doing to address these

Women’s share of employment in export-led industries CountryTotal Employment 2003 Female employment (% share) Main sectors of production EPZ exports as % of total exports Kenya36,348>75%Textiles, clothing10% Bangladesh2,121,00062%Textiles, clothing, food processing, leather, pharma 60% Sri Lanka461,03378%Textiles, clothing, rubber products 33% Mauritius83,60966%Textiles, clothing, food processing footwear, jewelry 77% Source: Kenya: Kenya Gender and Economic Growth Assessment, IFC, 2006.Other countries: UNCTAD, Trade and Gender in OECD, Trade and Gender: Issues and Interactions, 2005.

80% of employment in informal economy- Cambodia Source: Cambodia Socio-Economic Survey 2004/05

Key obstacles – the example of Uganda Women enterprises face additional obstacles, esp. in access to finance (linked to land rights) “How can property own property?” (Male interviewee, WB research)

Disparity of resources in Kenya  Accessing international markets is a total nightmare. We don’t have a databank of needed information.  Elizabeth Thande, Wet Farm, Ltd. Women’s access to resources in Kenya

How is IFC addressing the issues?  IFC Gender Entrepreneurship Markets (GEM) program  Grassroots Business Initiative (GBI) – access to markets  Africa SME Solutions Center - training  Mainstream IFC investment outreach (e.g. MTN Village Phone, Financial Markets SME, Trade & Microfinance)

IFC GEM, WB & FIAS - Addressing gender barriers in the investment climate in Uganda…  Gender and Growth Assessment : analyses gender dimensions of the business environment  Process : ― Government, women’s civil society organizations & business associations, private sector collaboration  Key recommendations : ― Reducing barriers to formalization ― Business and technical training ― Access to land & finance ― Credit registry Key outcomes:  Advocacy - Gender Coalition  Legislative change  DFCU bank line of credit  Training for businesswomen Women’s share of resources in Ugandan economy

IFC Grassroots Business Initiative & SEWA  Expanding markets for handicrafts made by women  IFC Areas of Assistance ― Further commercialization of SEWA trade facilitation center ― Optimal strategy develoment ― Replication of model in other parts of India