CIPE representatives were invited on March 3^rd, 2004, to participate in FEMINA Star, a complex event organized by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Ialomita. The event hosted an exhibition of goods produced by women owned companies from Ialomita County, a fashion show, a seminar on the development of the entrepreneurial spirit of business women and the establishment of a new women business association.

The speakers - Nicolae Stanca, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Ialomita, Cornelia Rotaru, General Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania and Bucharest, Senator Maria Petre, Ioan Pinter, the Mayor of Slobozia and Camelia Bulat, Program Director of CIPE Romania - welcomed the participants and opened the exhibition. Local authorities present at the event expressed their willingness to assist the business women from Ialomita County.

More than thirty business women were present at the seminar, which focused on the sustainability of women businesses and on the opportunities provided by new international programs.

Camelia Bulat delivered a presentation on business associations as an active supporter of economic environment, the benefits of being member in an active organization, which knows how to work for the interests of its’ membership.

The business women present at the meeting voted the establishment of a local women business association. They have decided to register as a branch of an already established association, Association for the Development of Women Entrepreneurship (ADAF). The new entity, ADAF Ialomita, will be legally independent, but will share the by-laws, information and networking opportunities of ADAF. The Chamber of Commerce proved very supportive, offering free office space and internet access to the association.