7th GCC Businesswomen Forum Kicks Off in Doha

Doha, November 12 (QNA) - The seventh edition of the GCC Businesswomen Forum kicked off in Doha on Wednesday, under the theme “Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Investment”.

Attended by HE Minister of Social Development and Family Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, the two-day event is organised by the Federation of Gulf Cooperation Council Chambers (FGCCC), in cooperation with the Qatar Chamber, and supported by the GCC General Secretariat.

Ibtihaj Al Ahmadani, Member of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Chamber and Chairperson of the Qatari Businesswomen Forum affirmed that Doha's hosting of the forum reflects Qatar's commitment to empowering women and enhancing their role in economic and social development.

She highlighted that the forum focused on the importance of sustainable investment as a key approach adopted by Gulf businesswomen, combining economic growth with social responsibility, in line with the national development visions of GCC countries.

She noted that the forum discusses key topics such as the knowledge economy, sustainable investment, the role of technology in women's economic empowerment, and the challenges facing Gulf women in non-traditional investments, affirming that these themes align with the Qatar Chamber's commitment to promoting communication and partnership among Gulf businesswomen.

Al Ahmadani emphasised that Gulf women entrepreneurs have proven their strong presence across various economic sectors through innovation and leadership, contributing effectively to economic diversification and sustainability.

She also commended the Gulf businesswomen's their remarkable achievements and their inspiring success stories, which have proven that women in the GCC are genuine partners in building national and regional economies.

Furthermore, she praised the vital contributions of Gulf women working in both the public and private sectors, describing them as role models of dedication, creativity, and excellence who have enhanced institutional performance and strengthened the culture of teamwork.

She called for strengthening cooperation among businesswomen's councils in GCC countries and building strategic partnerships to expand joint investments.

For his part, HE Sheikh Faisal Abdullah Al Rawas, President of the Federation of GCC Chambers, commended the pivotal role of Gulf women in driving economic and social development across GCC countries. He noted that the seventh edition of the Forum, held under the theme “Entrepreneurship and Investment Sustainability,” comes at a crucial time as Gulf economies witness significant transformations toward income diversification, the advancement of the knowledge economy, and the promotion of innovation and sustainability, which are fully aligned with the visions of GCC nations.

He highlighted that Gulf businesswomen have become leaders across various sectors, including banking, technology, real estate, and financial services, ranking among the most powerful businesswomen in the region.

Al Rawas affirmed the Federation’s commitment to supporting women's economic empowerment through initiatives and programs that strengthen their leadership in SMEs and expand their investments in promising sectors such as technology, renewable energy, tourism, and creative industries.

Dina Abdul Rahman Al Mudaires, General Manager of the General Administration of Project Management at the GCC General Secretariat, affirmed that trade cooperation among GCC countries constitutes a key pillar of joint Gulf action.

She cited recent statistics showing that women represent over 40% of the government workforce and 38% in the private sector, hold about 49% of senior positions in the public sector and 31% in the private sector, and occupy up to 41% of diplomatic posts in some GCC states.

During the opening session, the “Gulf Businesswomen Platform” was launched as one of the Federation's key initiatives. The platform aims to connect businesswomen across GCC countries through a unified interactive system that facilitates the exchange of experiences, expands Gulf women's investment base, and creates new partnership opportunities centered on the principles of the green economy and sustainability.

It represents a strategic step toward empowering Gulf women in the private sector by providing an integrated digital environment that enhances communication and cooperation among business leaders and strengthens their presence on the regional and global investment map.

During the session, the success stories of three distinguished Gulf businesswomen were showcased. Hessa Al Suliati from the State of Qatar, Badriya Al Mulla from the United Arab Emirates, and Lujaina Haidar from the Sultanate of Oman shared their experiences in entering the business world and the milestones they achieved in their respective fields. (QNA)