The Economic Empowerment of Women in Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) countries project will establish a working partnership between Australia and the International Trade Centre with the objective of working with the private sector to increase the economic empowerment of women by increasing the participation of export-ready Women Business Enterprises in international trade and investment. Women Business Enterprises are businesses that are 51 per cent or more owned, controlled and operated by women. The project seeks to address a gap in supply, namely access to markets by Women Business Enterprises. The project will work with Women Business Enterprises to build their export competitiveness, in both trade and investment. The project will also work with buyers, and Trade Promotion Organisations.

The proposal will assist to support Australia�s efforts to scale-up its aid for trade investments as well as targeting Australia�s key geographic areas for aid investment: the Indo-Pacific. T