Arab, African Businesswomen Forum opens in Dubai

(MENAFN- Arab News) The two-day Arab and African Businesswomen Forum opened in Dubai on Wednesday. The forum, organized by the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) in coordination with Arab Businesswomen's Council, began with a discussion on various issues concerning the region and its business development. A number of Arab and African businesswomen associations, financial organizations and unions have been participating in the event, which is continuing at Deira Sheraton Hotel. The agenda for three different sessions at the event includes topics like BADEA's support to women in Africa, the role of GCC women in economy and in development, economic empowerment of women, best practices of Arab women in entrepreneurship, in addition to significant business activities by women in Africa, and the Arab world and possibilities for cooperation between Arab and African women. Modawi Al-Hassoum of Saudi Arabia will speak on the role of Saudi women in development and regional cooperation on Thursday. The event is themed "Arab and African women and entrepreneurship," which shed light on BADEA's objectives and strategic roles as a financial institution enforcing the cooperation between Arab and African countries. This is done through funding, encouraging Arab-African trade activities and providing technical support to develop African states, in addition to encouraging investments run by Arab businesswomen in Africa. The forum also highlights outstanding experiences of both the Arab and African businesswomen. The forum will end with a special session highlighting the relationship between African and Arab businesswomen through issuing the Dubai Declaration, which includes recommendations that will strengthen the mechanisms for better collaborations between the businesswomen of the two regions. The opening ceremony was addressed by Abdel Aziz Khelef, director general of BADEA, Sheikha Hessa Al-Sabah, chairwoman of the Arab Businesswomen's Council and Joanne Mwangi, president of the Eastern Africa Women Entrepreneur Exchange Network (EAWEEXN).