A report from the American Chamber of Commerce Singapore (AmChamSG), Accenture and WEConnect International shows that supplier diversity drives revenue growth, but female entrepreneurs continue to face structural sourcing barriers.
SINGAPORE, October 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The American Chamber of Commerce Singapore (AmChamSG), in collaboration with Accenture and WEConnect International, launched “The Diversity Dividend: Why It’s Worth Engaging Women-Owned Businesses in Southeast Asia” at the AmChamSG SME ACCelerate 2025 Forum with Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Deputy Secretary General of the National Congress of Trade Unions (NTUC) and Member of Parliament, Punggol GRC.
![[From Left to Right] Ms. Bani Trehan, Managing Director, Accenture; Mr. Anoop Sagoo, CEO, South East Asia at Accenture; Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Deputy General Secretary of the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) and MP for Punggol GRC; Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei, CEO, AmChamSG; and Ms. Minnie Venkatachalam, Regional Director, Southeast Asia, North Asia and Oceania, WEConnect International](https://www.times24h.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Women-owned-suppliers-increase-business-revenue-by-22-in-Southeast-Asia.jpg "[From Left to Right] Ms. Bani Trehan, Managing Director, Accenture; Mr. Anoop Sagoo, CEO, South East Asia at Accenture; Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Deputy General Secretary of the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) and MP for Punggol GRC; Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei, CEO, AmChamSG; and Ms. Minnie Venkatachalam, Regional Director, Southeast Asia, North Asia and Oceania, WEConnect International")
The report includes supplier diversity analysis of 631 companies in Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia, and finds that company revenue growth increases by 2.2% when suppliers increase the representation of women in management positions by 5%.
At the forum, Anoop Sagoo, Accenture’s managing director for Southeast Asia, highlighted the report’s findings, noting that “companies that embrace supplier diversity experience tangible benefits, including improved performance and revenue growth.” By implementing the recommendations in this report, stakeholders can unlock the full potential of women-owned businesses, fostering a more inclusive and resilient business ecosystem.
According to a survey of 121 women entrepreneurs in Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia, structural barriers in the procurement environment, such as overly complicated processes and long payment times, continue to limit access for women entrepreneurs.
- Only 23% of women-owned businesses in Singapore supply large buyers, compared to 34% in Vietnam and 58% in Indonesia.
- In Singapore, long payment terms or delays and meeting complex procurement requirements or certifications are the top barriers for women-owned businesses (70%).
- Lack of transparency in the selection process and lack of mentoring or support in business procurement processes are the biggest obstacles for women-owned businesses in Indonesia and Vietnam.
- Women-owned businesses in Singapore cited visibility and recognition in the business ecosystem as the area where they most need support (79%).
- In Indonesia and Vietnam, training in finance, operations or marketing were highlighted as the most requested forms of support (84-86%).
“Any time a company selects a new vendor in pursuit of innovation, there is a risk. However, it is also a risk to hire the same vendor year after year who may or may not provide the best total value over time,” noted Elizabeth Vazquez, CEO and co-founder of WEConnect International.
Dr. Hsien-Hsien Lei, CEO of AmChamSG, said: “Business networks can bridge the gap between multinationals, SMEs, investors and policy makers. Through platforms such as the SME ACCelerate Forum, AmChamSG provides valuable connection opportunities that are vital in opening doors for SMEs to participate in large-scale supply chains.
Supplier diversity isn’t just about inclusion: it’s a business advantage. »
Download the full report “The Diversity Dividend: Why It Pays to Engage Women-Owned Businesses in Southeast Asia” here: https://amcham.com.sg/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/The-Diversity-Dividend-Final-Version-Website.pdf
About AmCham Singapore
Established in 1973, the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (AmChamSG) is the largest and most active international trade association in Singapore and Southeast Asia, with nearly 700 American and international companies with significant business interests in the United States. AmChamSG is an independent, non-partisan trade organization whose goal is to offer information and facilitate access and connections that provide members with a comprehensive understanding of local, regional and global operating environments. Our mission: to create value for our members by providing advocacy, community and thought leadership. Visit: www.amcham.com.sg
About WEConnect International
WEConnect International is the leading global nonprofit organization dedicated to putting money in the hands of women business owners by connecting them with large corporations, multilateral and government buyers around the world. Its more than 180 member buyers represent more than $4 trillion in annual purchasing power and are committed to sourcing more from women-owned businesses in more than 135 countries. WEConnect International identifies, educates, registers and certifies businesses that are at least 51% owned, managed and controlled by women, offering women’s business certification in over 60 countries. With a global network of more than 20,000 women-owned businesses, WEConnect International is committed to unlocking the full economic potential of women-owned businesses around the world. Visit: www.weconnectinternational.org
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SOURCE The American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (AmChamSG)
