Women-owned businesses in Southeast Asia are driving corporate revenue growth, according to a report by the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (AmChamSG), Accenture, and WEConnect International. The report, launched at the 2025 AmChamSG SME ACCelerate Forum, highlights that a 5% increase in women representation in supplier leadership correlates with a 2.2% rise in corporate revenue.
The study analysed supplier diversity across 631 companies in Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Anoop Sagoo, CEO Southeast Asia at Accenture, emphasised the tangible benefits of embracing supplier diversity, stating that it enhances performance and revenue growth. However, women entrepreneurs still face significant barriers, such as complex procurement processes and long payment terms, which limit their access to large buyers.
In Singapore, only 23% of women-owned businesses supply to large buyers, compared to 34% in Vietnam and 58% in Indonesia. The report also found that Singaporean women entrepreneurs need more visibility and recognition, whilst those in Indonesia and Vietnam require training in finance, operations, or marketing.
Elizabeth Vazquez, CEO of WEConnect International, noted the risks and rewards of selecting new vendors, highlighting the importance of supplier diversity as a business advantage. Dr Hsien-Hsien Lei, CEO of AmChamSG, added that business networks can bridge gaps between multinational corporations, small and medium enterprises, investors, and policymakers, fostering a more inclusive business ecosystem.
The report underscores the potential for women-owned businesses to contribute significantly to economic growth in Southeast Asia, provided structural barriers are addressed.
