ARAB INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S FORUM

Partners for Change: Realizing the Potential of
Arab Women in the Private and Public Sectors
 
22 – 24 June 2008
at
The World Bank, Washington DC, USA

Evening Reception at Number 10 Downing Street
hosted by Mrs Sarah Brown
in honour of the Arab International Women’s Forum
on
Tuesday 12 February 2008

A unique and very special occasion marked the start to the 2008 programme on Tuesday 12 February when Mrs Sarah Brown, wife of the UK Prime Minister hosted an Evening Reception, at their official residence, 10 Downing Street, in recognition and honour of the Arab International Women's Forum.

Mrs Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani,Chairman, was delighted to present to Mrs Brown, the Board and Members of AIWF, global partners and representatives of business, the corporate sector and leading Arab and international academic, economic and trade institutions from 21 countries. Also present were Baroness Vadera, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Competitiveness, Deregulation and British Business Council and Mrs Maggie Darling, wife of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

In her warm welcome Mrs Brown said "I want to congratulate the Arab International Women's Forum for raising public awareness of the need to bring more women into the economic life of the Arab region. The Forum's work has allowed women to exchange knowledge and experience, develop their business potential and to take up positions of responsibility in the public arena.

The 2007 programme Globalisation, Trade and Entrepreneurship, through which the Forum promoted links between the Arab region, the UK and the international sector, has been particularly important in creating an environment for collaboration, giving women the support and encouragement needed to overcome remaining barriers and challenges to their full equality and opportunity".

Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani was pleased to acknowledge this accolade when she said " AIWF is proud to be recognised as an organisation that is at the forefront of effecting change, promoting the role and potential for women, which is vital for growth and stability and developing strategies that create jobs, catalyse economic development and foster social cohesion".

Press Release for Downing Street Reception
(English (Size: 30Kb))  (Arabic (Size: 122Kb))
 

Under the Patronage of
HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein
Wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE, Ruler of Dubai

ARAB INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S FORUM

Globalisation, Trade and Entrepreneurship

Powering the Future
Arab Business Women in a Modern Economy

9-11 December 2007
The Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai


 

GLOBALISATION, TRADE and ENTREPRENEURSHIP
POWERING THE FUTURE
Arab Business Women in a Modern Economy

The Arab International Women’s Forum held its first conference in the United Arab Emirates on 10 and 11 December 2007 under the Patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE, Ruler of Dubai.

Entitled Powering The Future – Arab Business Women in a Modern Economy, this outstanding event was the culmination of the AIWF 2007 programme focussing on key elements for economic success, namely the creation of an enabling environment for the development of private enterprise and overcoming the challenges and barriers to greater female participation in the Arab economies.

The conference, held at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) at the kind invitation of the Governor of the DIFC, HE Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, developed widely and professionally the remit of the 2007 programme theme, Globalisation, Trade and Entrepreneurship. It served as another bridge linking the City of Dubai, the City of London and the wider financial community, providing a further opportunity to expand business partnerships and to highlight gender equality and good governance practices as key elements for unlocking the full potential of the region.

The two day initiative provided a forum that brought together a high profile gathering of 250 people from over 35 countries, including 19 Arab countries, representing AIWF global partners, members, and other supporters, men and women who are engaged in significant roles within the global economy representing government, business, trade and academic and professional circles.

HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Economy, United Arab Emirates and AIWF Founder Board Member, delivered the Keynote Opening Address on Monday 10 December. Other eminent speakers, addressing the conference sessions, shared with the participants their experience and deep knowledge of global trade, finance and entrepreneurship.

On the Monday evening, a reception was held to launch the AIWF book, ‘Domains of Influence: Arab Women Business Leaders in a New Economy’ which features successful business women leaders in the Arab world. On the following day, many of the women business leaders made a valued contribution in an interactive session when they revealed best practices that have influenced their success.

A highlight of the conference programme was a corporate governance workshop in collaboration with the Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance, ”The Value of Good Corporate Governance for Women’s Entrepreneurship in the MENA region”. At the start of this session on Tuesday 11 December, Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani, Chairman, Arab International Women’s Forum signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dr Nasser Saidi, Executive Director of Hawkamah to enable both organisations to advocate corporate sector reform and strengthen corporate governance for women entrepreneurs and their businesses in the MENA region.

The Dubai Conference also included the launch of a key AIWF report, the outcome document of the first event within the 2007 Programme, which was the Roundtable Meeting held at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London on 25 January 2007. Entitled “Women as Engines of Economic Growth in the Arab World – Moving Forward”, this publication set out the achievements and perspectives of the review of the AIWF 2005 Programme Report and Recommendations, with the impact and the advocacy for further action being identified.

AIWF was proud to have the support of Global Corporate and Institutional Partners whose generous support and cooperation made the 2007 Dubai Conference Programme possible and thanks are expressed to:

Leading Partners:           PepsiCo International. Abraaj Capital

Programme Partners:    The Hawkamah Institute, Merrill Lynch

Supporting Partners:      Shell, General Motors, Crescent Petroleum

Conference Support:      The Dubai Business Women Council,
                                        MCM, DLA Piper, Jumeirah Group


Conference Opening Session

Welcome Address and Introduction to the Conference
Mrs Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani. Chairman, AIWF (Size:127Kb)

Special Address
HE Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman. Governor, Dubai International Financial Centre (Size:27Kb)

Keynote Address
HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi. Minister of Economy UAE (Size:664Kb)

Special Address
HE Mrs Suhair Al Ali. Minster of Planning & International Cooperation, Jordan (Size:547Kb)

World Bank Message
Ms Daniela Gressani. Vice President, MENA, The World Bank


Plenary Session I
Entrepreneurship in the Arab World

Ms Daniela Gressani, Vice President, MENA, The World Bank (Size:38Kb)

HRH Princess Mashael bint Faisal. President of the Board of the Business Women Forum in the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia (Size:1110Kb)

Mrs Raja Al Gurg. Managing Director, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group and President DBWC (Size:1260Kb)

Professor Aicha Belarbi. Former Ambassador to the European Union & Professor and Researcher University Mohammed V. Rabat  (Size:70Kb)


Plenary Session II
Financing and Promoting Female Entrepreneurship

Dr Zara Khatib. Manager Technology Marketing & Deployment for Middle East Region, Caspian and South Asia Regions Shell

Ms Sahar Mohamed Ali El Sallab. Managing Director, Commercial International Bank, Egypt

Mr Saad Benhimi. Director Investment Banking Merrill Lynch MENA


Plenary Session III
Global Networks and Partnerships: Sharing Experiences

Alderman Alison Gowman. Partner. DLA Piper (Size:292Kb)

Dr Cristina Molinari. Cabinet Adviser, Ministry of International Trade, Italy (Size:30Kb)

Mrs Kalliopi Boudara. Special Counsellor to the Foreign Minister of Greece (Size:14Kb)

Ms Sung – Joo Kim. Chairperson & CEO, MCM Products AG/Sungjoo Group (Size:15Kb)


The Value of Good Corporate Governance for Women’s Entrepreneurship in the MENA Region
Workshop in cooperation with Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance

Introductory Remarks
Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani, Chairman, Arab International Women’s Forum (Size:28Kb)

Dr Nasser Saidi, Executive Director, Hawkamah Institute for Corporate Governance (Size:1200Kb)

Mrs Nadereh Chamlou, Senior Advisor (Economic & Sector Work), Office of the Chief Economist, Middle East and North Africa Region (Size:293Kb)

Dr Celia de Anca, Merrill Lynch External Diversity Adviser (Size:1280Kb)

Mrs Neveen El Tahri, Chairperson Delta Securities, Egypt (Size:26Kb)

Ms Ruth Martin, Managing Director, Securities & Investment Institute UK

Ms Dania Mchaourab, Vice President, Forsa


Conference Gala Dinner at Al Falak Ballroom, JUMEIRAH BURG AL ARAB

Conference Dinner Welcome - Mrs Al Kaylani, Chairman AIWF (Size:56Kb)

Keynote Address by
Mr Saad Abdul – Latif
President, SouthAsia, Middle East and Africa (SAMEA) Region of the
PepsiCo International (PI) Division of PepsiCo, Inc (Size:25Kb)

2007 Programme Conference Booklet (Size:568Kb)

2007 Programme Conference Booklet Cover (Size:180Kb)
 

Arab International Women’s Forum LAUNCH of the AIWF 2007 PROGRAMME Globalisation, Trade and Entrepreneurship

AIWF DINNER at the MANSION HOUSE

Globalisation, Trade and Entrepreneurship:
Enhancing Business Opportunities between
the City of London, the Arab World and the International Community

Wednesday 7 March 2007

In the Presence of the Rt Hon Lord Mayor of the City of London,
Alderman John Stuttard

Programme Partner
 


Programme Supporting Partners

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CONFERENCE
At DLA Piper UK LLP, London

Globalisation, Trade and Entrepreneurship:
Women’s Entrepreneurship as a Driver for Growth and Stability

Thursday 8 March 2007

Conference Partner



Supported by
Programme Partner


Programme Supporting Partners

AIWF DINNER
Globalisation, Trade and Entrepreneurship: Enhancing Business Opportunities between the City of London, the Arab World and the International Community

Welcome and Address by Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani, Chairman Arab International Women’s Forum

Address by The Rt Hon The Lord Mayor, Alderman John Stuttard

Address by H H Sheikha Hanadi bint Nasser bin Khaled Al Thani
Vice Chairperson & Managing Director Amwal

Address by Mr Hamid Jafar, Chairman Crescent Petroleum & Chairman Dana Gas

Address by Mr Willem LJ Bröcker, Senior Global Advisor, PricewaterhouseCoopers

AIWF Dinner Programme Booklet



INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CONFERENCE
Globalisation, Trade and Entrepreneurship: Women’s Entrepreneurship as a Driver for Growth and Stability

Welcome and Address by Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani, Chairman Arab International Women’s Forum


Panel 1
The Role of the Public and Private Sectors in Stimulating Entrepreneurship - Creating the Climate, Providing Support Initiatives and Policies.
Presentations in order of participation

Presentation by Ms Laura Baeza, Head of Unit for the Barcelona Process Directorate for External Affairs European Commission

Presentation by Ms Roxanne Decyk, Corporate Affairs Director, Royal Dutch Shell plc

Presentation by Dr Florence Eid, Middle East Economist and Advisor to Pantera Capital Management LP

Ms Roxanne Mankin Cason, President, Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard


Panel 2
Women Making an Impact in Trade in SMEs and Corporate Business on a National, Regional and International Basis.
Presentations in order of participation

Ms Helena Samaha, Partner, Technology, Media and Commercial, DLA Piper UK LPP

Ms Rania Rizk, International Legal Counsel, Pepsi – Cola International Ltd

Dr Lamia Al – Sulaiman, Board of Directors, Jeddah Chamber of Commerce

Dr Jean – Pierre Lehmann, Professor of International Political Economy, IMD & Founding Director of the Evian Group

Ms Stephanie MacKendrick, President, The International Alliance of Women

International Women’s Day Conference Programme Booklet
 

The Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF) chose the City of London to launch its 2007 Programme Globalisation, Trade and Entrepreneurship.

The two-day initiative commenced on Wednesday 7 March when, invited back to the Mansion House by the Rt Hon Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman John Stuttard, AIWF hosted a Special Dinner with a theme of Enhancing Business Opportunities between the City of London, the Arab World and the International Community.

Welcoming the distinguished gathering of 270 men and women representing governments, financial and business interests, international organisations from over forty countries, including 18 Arab countries, the AIWF Chairman, Mrs Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani, embraced the opportunity for AIWF to continue developing links and build bridges, build business.

In her message to launch the AIWF 2007 programme, the Chairman said “ It is essential that we maximise opportunities for entrepreneurship for men and women within the region and for trade between the Middle East and the international community in order to make globalisation effective and more inclusive. AIWF has played a key role since its inception in bringing together all the players necessary to this process. Many challenges remain. However it is through public – private partnerships and international cooperation that we can meet them. The City of London is uniquely placed to assist with the introduction of financial models that will fit the region and stimulate its long term economic growth. It can facilitate access to finance for both men and women entrepreneurs, creating a basis for local growth that is directed at the global market.”

The Lord Mayor commended AIWF as an organisation in the mainstream of creating an environment for growth, accessibility and collaboration in the 22 Arab nations saying “this has led to investment, prosperity and employment opportunities.”
 

Addressing the assembled company was guest speaker and leading Arab business woman, HH Sheikha Hanadi bint Nasser bin Khaled Al Thani, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director Amwal and AIWF Board Member, who gave some interesting points about the important role being played by Arab women in entrepreneurship. In stating her belief in building partnerships throughout the region, she said “ we have achieved success with Amwal with a team representing 15 different nationalities, women and men working side by side for a common goal. The only requirement for working at Amwal is that you have to be good at what you do – this is the true spirit of Globalisation”

In his remarks, guest speaker, Hamid D Jafar, Executive Chairman of Dana Gas said “there are positive trends encouraging private sector growth, entrepreneurship and economic diversification in the region. Investing across borders within the Middle East and collaborating with other companies of the region is an important requirement for the creation of any successful regional economic bloc.”

Moving on to the perspective of a global business, guest speaker Willem L J Bröcker, Senior Global adviser, PricewaterhouseCoopers identified people‘s skills and talent as a key but also scarce resource which business could not afford to waste. He said “in the Arab world there is a significant challenge in developing the skills base among women that successful businesses and economies need. We need to identify role models and AIWF is playing a key part in this”

The next day, AIWF provided another opportunity to expand business partnerships for encouraging greater participation in the global marketplace when it held a conference to celebrate International Women’s Day that was hosted by AIWF global partner DLA Piper UK at their offices in the City.

In speaking about the launch of the AIWF 2007 programme, Mrs Haifa Al Kaylani, Chairman AIWF, highlighted the reason why the theme of Globalisation, Trade and Entrepreneurship is so important when she said “We believe that the future growth of the region must be built on making better use of all its resources, human and capital with women as an integral force. Women’s entrepreneurship is expanding around the world. Cooperation between the Arab world and the international community is vital to encourage this trend. AIWF is well placed to facilitate this link and put forth an agenda for positive change. The timing for Arab women to make real and tangible difference has never been more opportune nor the demand for their contribution greater”

Outstanding Arab and international speakers examined the theme of Women’s Entrepreneurship as a Driver for Growth and Stability, illustrating how women are proving themselves as business leaders, starting their own businesses or taking leading roles in companies and multinational organisations. Mentioned in every one of the ten panellists’ presentations were the key aspects of sharing best practices, making partnerships and using role models.

There were two panels. Moderator/Speaker for Panel 1, The Role of the Public and Private Sectors in Stimulating Entrepreneurship, - Creating the Climate, Providing Support Initiatives and Policies, was Roxanne Decyk, Director Corporate Affairs, Royal Dutch Shell.

Also addressing the topic in this panel were:
Laura Baeza, Head of the Unit for the Barcelona Process Directorate for External Affairs European Commission
Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean, Businesswomen and former Minister for the Middle East, UK government
Florence Eid, Middle East Economist and advisor to Pantera Capital Management LP
Roxanne Mankin Cason, President Women’s Leadership Board, Harvard

Panel 2 - the Moderator /Speaker was Dr Jean – Pierre Lehmann, Professor of International Political Economy, IMD & Founding Director of the Evian Group. This panel had the topic of Women Making an Impact in SMEs and Corporate Business on a National, Regional and International Basis

Also addressing the topic in the other panel were:
Helena Samaha, Partner – Technology.Media and Commercial, DLA Piper, Rania Rizk, Senior International Counsel, PepsiCo International, Lama Al –Sulaimen, Member, Board of Directors, Jeddah Chamber of Commerce Stephanie MacKendrick, President The International Alliance of Women / President Canadian Women in Communications

During the debates, the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs were summed up as: Access to finance, Access to markets, Access to information, Access to training and, finally Access to policymaking. The delegates learnt about many initiatives with which the speakers were involved that aimed at creating entrepreneurs and helping women succeed.

It was pointed out that women are the largest economy, diversity is central to success but must be combined with inclusiveness and, businesses need to play a key role in encouraging women to take up diverse and expanding roles.

The AIWF Chairman on behalf of the Board acknowledged the support of Global Annual Partners, Shell International as Programme Partner, PepsiCo International and PricewaterhouseCoopers as Programme Supporting Partners and DLA Piper UK LPP as Conference Partner for the launch events. She also expressed her appreciation to Jumeirah Carlton Tower for their special cooperation.

Mrs Al Kaylani underlined the intent of the 2007 programme when she said “AIWF is fully committed to achieving the greater participation of women as positive agents for change to move the agenda for prosperity and peace forward.”