The 2013 Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) held in Kuala Lumpur, with the theme "Empowering and Connecting Entrepreneurs," has attracted not only experienced businesspeople, but also young visitors as it raised many youth-related topics.

“This is the right time to talk about a business environment for entrepreneurs. In the last 5 years, the world has been facing an economic crisis that caused bankruptcy, unemployment, and low consumer confidence,” said Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai at the 2013 Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) held in Kuala Lumpur.

“Firstly, we focus heavily on macroeconomic stability. Secondly, we increase the effectiveness of banking management systems to ensure enough capital has been contributed to startup businesses. We will also reform the management system to support the development of new enterprises and create a stable startup environment,” Hai added.

Speaking at the event, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry talked about the favorable environment for young entrepreneurs that exists in the ASEAN region, in which youth account for 60 percent of the population.

Kerry said he was inspired by Tonee Ndungu, a young Kenyan businessman who failed in his first attempt to start a company, but refused to give up hope. Tonee decided to start his business journey again and succeeded with his new venture, which enables students to borrow cheap books and documents.

Another speaker, Nermin Sa'd of Jordan, spoke of realizing that many talented women are unable to work outside their home just because of prejudice. In reaction, she started an online database of freelance jobs offered to women only which allow them to work from home. In the next 5 years, Nermin wants to open the first technology company in the Middle East and North Africa that employs only women.

The conference this year attracted young people from many countries in the world as it raised many youth-related topics such as the use social networks to support businesses, the establishment of entrepreneurial universities in SE Asia, and the act of bringing creative ideas to fruition.

Besides actively participating in discussion topics and sharing personal business stories, young visitors also talked about accepting failure and facing new problems brought on by the current economic climate.

The two-day event attracted more than 3,000 businesspeople and visitors from many countries around the world including the US, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Cambodia.