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IWFCIS Singapore President Angeelia Phua speaks to IN Diplomacy about women-led success, cross-border trade opportunities, and the power of global collaboration.

Singapore – Angeelia Phua, President of the International Women’s Federation of Commerce and Industry Singapore (IWFCIS), is a strong advocate for the “women helping women” philosophy. In an interview with IN Diplomacy, she shared how the federation empowers female entrepreneurs through global collaboration, mentorship, and access to trade platforms.

Q: How does IWFCIS embody the “women helping women” mantra? 

At IWFCI Singapore, we believe that when women support each other, incredible things happen. Our global platform creates opportunities for women entrepreneurs by fostering mentorship, business networking, and skills development. We provide access to resources, connections, and collaborations that empower women to succeed—not just locally but across international markets. Our members uplift one another by sharing experiences, knowledge, and opportunities, truly embodying the “women helping women” philosophy. 

Q: What initiatives support women entrepreneurs, and what impact have they had? 

IWFCI has launched several strategic initiatives aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs around the world. The Global Women’s Trade Summit (GWTS) serves as a key platform connecting women-led enterprises across borders, facilitating access to new markets and business opportunities. Its mentorship programmes equip women with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to grow their ventures, while its business networking and trade missions foster partnerships and cross-border collaborations that enable women to scale their enterprises globally.

In Singapore, IWFCI introduced the BRIM Programme, built on four core pillars: Business, Relationship, Innovation, and Mental Resilience. This framework guides the design of the federation’s activities and programmes, ensuring holistic support for women entrepreneurs. Collectively, these initiatives have significantly increased women’s business visibility, boosted their revenue, and built greater confidence. As a result, many small businesses have successfully expanded into international markets, with women emerging as resilient and influential leaders within their industries.

Q: How does IWFCIS foster community among its 10 global chapters? 

Our strength lies in our international network. We encourage cross-border collaborations through virtual and physical events, trade missions, and leadership forums. Each chapter is given the flexibility to address its local community’s needs while staying connected through IWFCIS’s global initiatives. We actively share resources, best practices, and opportunities, ensuring that every chapter benefits from the collective strength of our global sisterhood. 

Q: What can we expect from the upcoming Global Women’s Trade Summit? 

The upcoming Global Women’s Trade Summit (GWTS) will be held in Mumbai, India. It will feature inspiring speakers, panel discussion, business networking and business matching, and trade exhibitions that showcase innovative women-led enterprises. This year, the theme is “Women as a Catalysts for Global Trade and Economic Growth”— Attendees can expect to gain new business connections, learn industry insights, and explore global opportunities. 

Q: Share a success story of a member who benefited from IWFCIS’s support. 

One of our members, a female entrepreneur in the health industry, struggled with international expansion. Through IWFCIS’s network, she connected with women business leaders in different countries, participated in trade summits, and eventually secured international distributors. Today, her brand is available in multiple markets, and she has become a mentor for other aspiring women entrepreneurs. Her success reflects how collaboration, support, and access to the right networks can change the trajectory of a woman’s business. 

Q: How important is it to have men as part of this change and narrative? 

Men play a crucial role in creating an equitable world. Gender equality is not just a women’s issue—it is a societal and economic necessity. When men actively support women, whether in leadership, business, or community building, we accelerate progress. Having male allies fosters inclusive work environments, improves decision-making, and drives innovation by embracing diverse perspectives. 

Q: How can men be effective allies in supporting women entrepreneurs? 

Men can be powerful allies by mentoring and supporting women in business to help them navigate challenges and scale their ventures. Championing gender diversity in leadership by advocating for more women in executive roles, investing in women-led businesses to ensure they receive the funding and opportunities needed to thrive, and calling out bias and inequality while actively promoting fair and inclusive business practices are also key ways men can support the cause.

Q: What are IWFCIS’s key priorities, and how will it continue to support women entrepreneurs? 

Our priorities are expanding global trade opportunities for women through our trade missions and business networking, bridging the gender funding gap by connecting women entrepreneurs with investors and financial resources, and empowering women through education and leadership training—equipping them with the skills to thrive in the modern economy. We will continue to innovate and create platforms that help women achieve financial independence and business growth.

Q: How does IWFCIS measure success, and what’s its impact been so far? 

Success for IWFCIS is measured not just in numbers but in real-life transformations. Some key indicators include the growth of women-led businesses within our network, the expansion of our global chapters to support more women worldwide, and the number of successful trade partnerships facilitated. Over the years, we have helped countless women scale their businesses, build confidence, and step into leadership roles. That, to us, is our biggest impact.

Q: We just celebrated International Women’s Day, what message would you like to share? 

International Women’s Day is a celebration of our resilience, achievements, and potential. My message to all women is: “We are stronger together, and when we support one another, we create Possibilities!”

Q: How can we collectively drive change and create a more inclusive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs? 

Driving change requires collaboration across all levels—government, corporations, communities, and individuals. This can be achieved by advocating for inclusive policies that support women in business and leadership, creating funding opportunities specifically for women entrepreneurs, promoting mentorship and networking programmes to help women navigate business challenges, and shifting societal mindsets by encouraging equal opportunities in all industries.

By working together—women and men, businesses and policymakers—we can build a future where every woman has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.