Contact: Susan Lennon, Director of Communications
Email: susanl@acbwa.org
Website: www.acbwa.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ACBWA FEATURED AT NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED CONFERENCE
Executive Director Joins WBEs on International Day to Promote Networking Relationships Between the U.S. and China

Rockville, MD -- July 15, 2008 -- Jade Zhou, Executive Director of the America-China Business Women Alliance (ACBWA), served as a featured speaker at the 2008 WomenĄŻs Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) Conference and Business Fair held in Atlanta, GA, June 23-26. With over 2,500 attendees, the conference is the largest of its kind in the U.S., promoting womenĄŻs business enterprises as suppliers to multinational corporations and government agencies. On International Day of the conference, Jade introduced the Directory of Women Business Enterprises in China, and offered the most up-to-date statistics on women owned businesses in China, as compiled by the ACBWA. During her presentation, she offered some remarkable and useful facts to the audience.
Of the 1,000 companies profiled, approximately 65% of women-owned businesses in China are in the manufacturing sector, mostly consumer products, hardware and electronics. Of these, a high percentage of 41% of these companies currently do business overseas. Here Jade sees a unique opportunity for U.S. businesses to connect with companies in China. Nearly 70% of women owned businesses in the U.S. are in the professional services industry.* While the service industry is growing in China, it still remains a niche not fully recognized. These industry differences indicate women-owned businesses in the two countries are largely non-competitive, and U.S. companies carry an advantage in expanding professional services into China. Instead of competition and rivalry, there are more shared interests and common goals. Making connections and networking is the mainstay of building business, and the ACBWA is initiating a unique plan for matching companies and business leaders in both countries.

Notable Fact: Of 1,000 companies profiled, more than 57% of the Chinese women-owned businesses exceed over 10 million RMB (1.4 million USD) in revenue yearly, and over 75% of profiled companies have more than 100 employees.

Directory Will Profile 2,000+ Women-Owned Companies

Historically, women-owned businesses in China have not garnered strong visibility domestically and abroad, a major reason the ACBWA is launching the first-ever Directory of Women Business Enterprises in China. The directory is scheduled to make its debut at the 2008 Annual Conference of America-China WomenĄŻs Business Leaders, and will also be available as an interactive online database. Making connections with other business leaders is a necessity for successful expansion into China, and this directory is the first of its kind in existence. It will serve to match supplier and buyer, offering specific information on each company. By November, the ACBWA will reach its goal of profiling 2,000 businesses. All sectors of industry will be represented, allowing U.S. and Chinese companies an unprecedented opportunity to network and connect utilizing the most up-to-date online technology available.

Online Networking Platform Launching In 2008

Building on the invaluable resource of the internet directory, the ACBWA will also introduce a global communication platform online. This open-source website will be the first forum dedicated to companies doing business between the U.S. and China.

Highlights of the website:

• E-marketplace for companies to gain exposure, offer goods and services, and locate potential business partners
• Discussion Forums addressing specific issues related to all aspects of business
• Blogs Hosted by industry experts offering practical advice for WBEs

Scheduled to come online this year, the site will offer 24-hour access to information in a convenient, informative environment. The ACBWA is working diligently to set a new stage for global commerce. More information will be forthcoming in monthly newsletters.

*The Center for WomenĄŻs Business Research, 2006.

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