Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Lindiwe Hendricks yesterday provided a report back on South Africa's involvement in the Global Summit of Women, held in Marrakech, Morocco from June 28 -30.

Over 700 women from over 80 countries attended the summit.

The 28-strong delegation was made up of government officials and various women entrepreneurs representing different business sectors.

Hendricks described the event as a success, stating that it helped those present gain insight into how people from around the globe were dealing with the challenge of economic development for women.

The summit offered various solutions to increasing women’s “economic clout” globally, increasing their opportunities to conduct international trade, specifically with the Asian market.

International “best practices” were also showcased to highlight women’s governmental and business achievements.

Hendricks said that the Department of Trade and industry had received a lot of interest from black women entrepreneurs keen to attend the meetings and had thus decided to sponsor 28 delegates.

“The summit gave women the opportunity to expose themselves, which will undoubtedly have a positive spin off.

"Many of the entrepreneurs said that the summit would have an impact on their business relations, especially ccross borders,” said Hendricks.

“It was good to see what other countries are doing to empower women as well”.

South Africa hosted the yearly summit in 2000.