KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 (Bernama) -- The negative public perception towards women is a key challenge that must be overcome in order to influence decision-making in business, says SME Corp Malaysia.

Its Chief Executive Officer Datuk Hafsah Hashim said women who aspire to succeed need to enhance their quality in various aspects, and not merely depend on excellent academic qualifications and looks.

"Women need to be smart in addressing all challenges, hence they need to have skills and funding.

"Financial capability is the key to success which can help them expand especially to overseas market," she said.

She also stressed that women entrepreneurs should know how to look for opportunities to expand their markets, not only domestically but also internationally.

Hafsah told reporters this after a forum organised by SME Corp, "E3 Women's" themed "Electronically and Economically Empowered", here Thursday.

-- BERNAMA