28/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - Progress in the entrepreneurial spirit of women was assessed during a forum held on 28 March in Brussels. Results showed that women head a growing number of firms. However, the percentage of business women remained low in Europe. There are only 28% of women who carry out an independent activity and this percentage is rising only very slowly (35% in the US). In a press release, the Commission points out that it is vital to support women in business to reach the Lisbon objective. The forum made public the results of the "Best" project - promotion of the entrepreneurial spirit among women - launched in 2001, which identified good practice aimed at promoting female entrepreneurship, especially in research and innovation and in the context of structural funds.