Celebrating Graduates of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs

During a reception on January 27, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Gwendolyn “Wendy” Green and Marisa Xuereb, President of The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise, and Industry, celebrated 42 participants, who graduated from the U.S. Department of State’s Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE). The AWE program provides women entrepreneurs around the world with the skills, resources, and networks needed to start and scale successful businesses. Two of the participants excelled in pitching their business proposals, winning a competition for $10,000, as the first prize, and $5,000, as a second prize, that they will invest in their businesses.

In 2022, the U.S. Embassy partnered with The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise, and Industry to implement the second iteration in Malta of this global entrepreneurship program. AWE supports the U.S. government’s National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality aimed at advancing women’s economic empowerment globally. Implemented in nearly 90 countries, AWE has helped more than 16,000 women entrepreneurs around the world to grow their businesses and adapt to new economic realities under COVID-19.

Deputy Chief of Mission Green and Malta Chamber President Marisa Xuereb presented the AWE graduates with certificates and awarded $10,000, as the first prize, and $5,000, as a second prize, in seed funding to the winners of the business plan competition. In brief remarks, Ms. Green said, “I am thrilled to bring this global entrepreneurship program to Malta for the second time and incredibly proud of its success. On behalf of the U.S. Department of State, I would like to congratulate you all. We are impressed with your drive to pursue your ambitions and contribute to building a dynamic, innovative economy.”

In her remarks, Ms. Xuereb said, “We thank the U.S. Embassy for giving The Malta Chamber the opportunity to coordinate this program. The promotion of female entrepreneurship is very much aligned with The Malta Chamber’s ambition to maximize the potential of our human capital. We are very happy to see so many women complete this program successfully and we look forward to seeing them pursue their entrepreneurial ideas and engage with The Malta Chamber in the months and years to come to network and grow.”