The government is currently designing a national platform to promote  entrepreneurship by women and narrow the gender gap in this area,  Economy Minister Chris Cardona said this morning.

He made his comments as he greeted Zita Gumbai, a Hungarian politician who is the president of the Party of European Socialists (PES) Women.

Dr Cardona said that Malta has one of the lowest rates of female entrepreneurship in Europe, with less than five per cent of Malta’s women  identifying themselves as self employed.

The gender gap in the labour market, he continued, was rapidly narrowing, but the gender gap in self-employment was still wide.

“Moreover, women had the tendency to start businesses in less innovative and risk averse areas,” Dr Cardona said.

The government he added, was currently designing a national platform to promote female entrepreneurship.

As part of this strategy, a number of ambassadors from various backgrounds will be appointed to promote entrepreneurship among young people, especially girls and young women.

“It needs to be a continuous strategy – consistent and coordinated – not just sporadic initiatives taken once in a while. We need all stakeholders on board.”

The minister said that he recently had the pleasure of visiting Smoochies, a company producing innovative drinks using modern entrepreneurial techniques.

The company, Dr Cardona continued, employed many women and offered flexible working conditions.

“This flexibility allows women to take care of family responsibilities without jeopardising their earnings. It is progressive and it works.”