At the opening summit, Ms Hoa will deliver a speech entitled “Women and business”, emphasising the importance and role of women in economic development in general and in enterprises in particular.

The summit will discuss how to accelerate women progress in economic sectors and to implement the Millenium Development Goals, with a particular focus on strengthening equality between men and women and improving women’s position in society.

On the occasion, Vice President Hoa will visit Egypt from June 12-13 with the aim of strengthening traditional relations and discussing measures to make cooperation between the two countries more effective. Ms Hoa is scheduled to meet Egyptian President and President of Parliament, hold talks with Prime Minister Amed Nazis and visit some economic and cultural units.

*** Minister of Industry Hoang Trung Hai will attend the East Asia Business Forum 2006, which will be organised by the World Business Forum in Tokyo, Japan from June 15-16.  The forum will attract international senior officials, leaders of big enterprises and economic researchers.

Participants will discuss issues related to Asian growth models and roles of Asian enterprises in global competition, Asian financial integration and a potential model for an East Asian community, and energy prospects and challenges for Asia’s economic development.

The annual forum aims to strengthen and expand economic and trade relations among regional countries and between the region and other areas in the world.