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The
Arab International Women's Forum extends deep thanks and appreciation to
Shell Middle East, PepsiCo International, Merrill Lynch, PricewaterhouseCoopers, General Motors and DLAPiper UK LLP as Global Corporate Sponsors. Their support is gratefully
acknowledged.
PLATINUM GLOBAL PARTNER
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SHELL MIDDLE EAST BUSINESS RELATIONS |
Present in over 130 countries, Shell aims to meet the energy and
petrochemicals needs of society in ways that are economically, socially
and environmentally sustainable.
Shell produces more oil and gas than any other private company. We
integrate our business from seismic surveys and drilling, through trading
and refining, to the marketing of fuels, electricity and chemicals to over
20 million customers a day. Shell has pioneered much of the world’s oil
and gas technology in use today and we continue to innovate in all our
activities, including our growing renewable energy business.
Shell’s partnerships in the Middle East stretch back over a century. Today
they are involved in exploration and production in Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Iran,
Oman and Syria and are developing business in Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi
Arabia. Corporate social responsibility is very much on the Shell agenda
with the view to maximizing employment opportunities and providing
sustainable development as part of their ongoing activities.
Since Marcus Samuel’s first tanker passed through the Suez Canal on
August 24th 1892, Shell has had a close association with the Arab world.
Today, enshrined in our business principles is the goal to promote the
development and best use of human talent and equal opportunity employment.
As we look to the future and our continued commitment to building
partnerships and doing business across the Middle East, we can think of no
better way to do this than by association with Arab women’s groups such as
the AIWF.
PLATINUM GLOBAL PARTNER
PEPSICO INTERNATIONAL
Pepsi the company and the brands are closely interwoven into the whole
fabric of Arab society, and supporting groups in society is a central part
of that fabric. Through our support of groups like the Arab International
Women’s Forum (AIWF), our partners in the region and the music and sports
stars we work with to promote our products, Pepsi is at the centre of Arab
life.
Having achieved considerable success in the region, we take our role in
the local communities very seriously. The Arab International Women’s Forum
is an example of this commitment. Representing professional women from 22
countries and from diverse backgrounds ranging from technology to
manufacturing, the AIWF is making significant contributions to breakdown
the stereotypes that still exist in many business circles.
It is through our partnerships with groups like the AIWF that we are able
to give back to the community in which we operate. At Pepsi, we feel
corporate responsibility has become a central role in everyday business
practice.
Some readers may be aware that PepsiCo celebrated its centenary in 1998.
What may not be so apparent is that this year we are celebrating 50 years
of uninterrupted business in the Arab World.
Given that Pepsi only formed an international division in 1934, which at
that time marked the commencement of sales outside US borders, our
half-century in the Middle East is a major milestone for the company. We
believe it is testimony to how integrated Pepsi is in the region and, in
turn, how strong the region’s relationship is with us.
In enjoying the status of the number one brand by far, we also recognise
that with this lofty position comes a high level of responsibility to
everyone with whom we come into contact. Employment is a key priority for
us and we strongly recognise the skills local women can bring to business
success.
At Pepsi, we have strived and succeeded in employing some of the best
available Arab talent, which has allowed us to better understand and
therefore serve the needs of the local community and the Arab market as a
whole.
In countries such as Jordan, Lebanon or Egypt the majority of our
workforce is drawn from the local population and we are among the biggest
single employers in these countries.
We have also taken our citizenship programme a major step further forward.
Companies such as Pepsi continue to give back to the community that have
proved to be such strong supporters of ours over so many years. With that
in mind, PepsiCo Middle East and Africa will be donating an additional $1
million towards supporting a range of educational projects in the Arab
World.
We sincerely hope our platinum sponsorship of the AIWF helps in building
the power of professional women in all Arab countries. Partly because we
know such an organisation is critical, and partly because we call on this
workforce to help our business succeed.
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PLATINUM GLOBAL PARTNER
Merrill Lynch is one of the world's
leading wealth management, capital markets and advisory companies with
offices in 37 countries and territories and total client assets of
approximately $1.6 trillion. As an investment bank, it is a leading
global trader and underwriter of securities and derivatives across a
broad range of asset classes and serves as a strategic advisor to
corporations, governments, institutions and individuals worldwide.
Merrill Lynch owns approximately half of BlackRock, one of the world's
largest publicly traded investment management companies with more than
$1 trillion in assets under management.
As Merrill Lynch has successfully reinvented itself over the years —
from a U.S.-based retail securities broker to a diversified global
financial services company — our workforce diversity efforts have
evolved as well.
The focus on race and gender issues that initially drove our diversity
initiatives in the United States now has a global perspective. We want
to ensure that Merrill Lynch is a meritocracy in which diversity thrives
at every level and at every location of the company.
Through our partnership with AIWF we are in a strong position to further
our diversity efforts and support the development of professional women
in the Middle East.
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PLATINUM GLOBAL PARTNER
ABRAAJ CAPITAL
Abraaj Capital is the premier investment firm specializing in private
equity investments in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. With
over US$5 billion of assets currently under management, Abraaj has
collectively executed some of the most compelling and successful
transactions in the history of leveraged acquisitions across the region.
Recently recognised by Arabian Business as one of 50 Most Admired
Companies in the GCC, Abraaj is also the first pure private equity firm
to be registered by DFSA to operate out of Dubai International Financial
Centre (DIFC).
Abraaj aims to nurture the potential of the region by investing in human
capital, and the firm takes seriously its commitment to growing the
organisation from within. Abraaj’s investments, in sectors as diverse as
banking, retail, airlines, ship manufacturers, hospitals, and schools,
ultimately create jobs, develop infrastructure and contribute greatly to
the growth and development of the region as a whole.
These objectives lie at the heart of the vision and mission for AIWF,
which places a strong emphasis on the engagement of the global private
sector in all of its initiatives to generate opportunities for
education, employment and empowerment for women in the Arab world.
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DIAMOND GLOBAL PARTNER
PricewaterhouseCoopers is very pleased to be associated with the AIWF.
Our success as an organisation depends upon unlocking the potential of
our people, in the same way that the AIWF aims to open up the
opportunities and influence of Arab women in business and government.
PricewaterhouseCoopers' strength is built on the diversity and talents
of 130,000 people in 144 countries. We work most effectively for our
clients when we harness the rich mix of our collective skills, knowledge
and backgrounds. We connect together within our organisation, with our
clients and in the wider communities in which we operate to create
stronger ideas and better answers. We call this approach Connected
Thinking. Through it, we combine our capabilities in order to bring
fresh perspectives that go beyond conventional thoughts and solutions.
It seems to me that this approach fits well with the aims of the AIWF
and its 'Building Bridges, Building Business' ideology. I am therefore
delighted that we are able to support the work and objectives of the
Fund.
Elham Hassan
Senior Partner
PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bahrain
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DIAMOND GLOBAL PARTNER
GENERAL MOTORS
With a heritage stretching back over eighty years, General Motors (GM)
today brings its host of vehicle brands, services and technologies to
customers across the region. Through its regional headquarters in Dubai,
GM oversees operations in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Syria and Yemen - the largest
presence of any automaker in the region.
The range of vehicles offered by GM in the region under the Chevrolet,
Cadillac, GMC, Opel, Saab and Hummer brands is unmatched by any other
manufacturer. From small cars like the Chevrolet Aveo to full size trucks
such as the GMC Suburban or luxury cars like the Cadillac STS, GM offers
the Arab customer reliable, fun to drive vehicles.
GM was the first automaker to test, validate and re-engineer its vehicles
with specifications tailored for the harsh driving conditions and specific
customer preferences of the region. GM also offers a rich after-sales
experience through the ACDelco and GM Parts businesses.
General Motors is dedicated to contributing to ongoing development of the
region, recently announcing plans to build several educational programmes
to develop local talent in hand with leading educational institutions in
both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
GM's commitment to the region has never been stronger as evidenced by the
number of new vehicle introductions, customer service initiatives and
significant investments in business infrastructure.
A LEADING TEAM
"Thousands of employees, partners and retailers are the face and spirit of
GM in the Arab world. Their expertise has helped spearhead GM's
globalization while their roots have anchored us to local communities over
many generations."
Maureen Kempston Darkes
GM Group Vice President
President, GM Latin America, Africa & Middle East
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DIAMOND GLOBAL PARTNER
DLA Piper is a global law firm with offices across Europe, the Middle
East, Africa, Asia and the US. With over 3,100 lawyers across 62 offices
and 24 countries it is the second largest provider of legal services in
the world, providing a wide range of services including real estate;
corporate, finance, restructuring/bankruptcy and taxation; commercial;
project finance; franchise and distribution; litigation; intellectual
property; technology, media and communications; human resources/labour;
and regulatory and legislative law.
DLA Piper is relationship driven, meeting the ongoing legal needs of
clients, wherever they choose to do business. They are culturally
attuned to the business demands and legal requirements of a particular
country or state. Through their award-winning Client Relationship
Management programme, DLA Piper constantly strives to find new and
better ways of doing things so clients can benefit. Their geographic
coverage allows DLA Piper to service clients globally and advise
international organisations in multiple jurisdictions in all core
disciplines.
The firm’s commitment to the Middle East region is total and
comprehensive. Responding to clients’ demand for access to full service
international quality legal capabilities located directly in the Middle
East, DLA Piper opened their Dubai office in January 2006, now with 20
lawyers. In March 2006 they entered into an affiliation with leading
Saudi lawyer Abdulaziz Al Fahad, following the launch of DLA Matouk &
Bassiouny in Egypt in 2005. Their Middle East team includes lawyers
qualified in a wide range of international jurisdictions and offering
services in Arabic, English and French.
DLA Piper also has a dedicated Africa practice, with lawyers who
understand the dynamics of working on the continent. DLA Piper has a
strong presence in sub – Saharan Africa providing expert local advice
through DLA Piper Group firms in South Africa), Tanzania, Zambia, Egypt,
soon to be joined by Ghana. These sit alongside the Brussels-managed
base in Kinshasa. DLA Piper also has close links to leading
practitioners in the other important African jurisdictions.
For more information please visit their website:
www.dlapiper.com
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DIAMOND GLOBAL PARTNER
Jumeirah properties are regarded as among the most luxurious and
innovative in the world and have won numerous international travel and
tourism awards. The company was founded in 1997 with the aim to become a
hospitality industry leader through establishing a world class portfolio
of luxury hotels and resorts. To date, the Jumeirah portfolio includes
luxury hotels and resorts in Dubai, London and New York.
Jumeirah’s core essence to STAY DIFFERENT
TM
promises guests experiences that are as unique and innovative as the
brand itself. It recognises the distinctiveness of luxury travellers and
the importance of personal experiences in their lives.
In line with this core essence, the individuality of the Jumeirah
portfolio is unmistakable. Building on this success, in 2004 Jumeirah
Group became a member of Dubai Holding - a collection of leading
Dubai-based businesses and projects - in line with a new phase of growth
and development for the Group.
Jumeirah is pleased to welcome the AIWF events to its hotels in London,
the Carlton Towers and the Lowndes and in Dubai, the Jumeirah Emirates
Towers and to the world renowned Burj Al Arab, the world’s most
luxurious hotel.
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AIWF WELCOME HAWKAMAH AS A NEW INSTITUTIONAL PARTNER
Hawkamah, the Institute for Corporate Governance, constitutes a
groundbreaking development for institution building, corporate sector
reform, sound banking, financial sector development, good governance,
sustainable economic development and growth in the region. Hawkamah’s
mission is to assist countries and companies in the region to develop
sound and globally well integrated corporate governance frameworks.
Hawkamah is an international association that aims to efficiently
coordinate and sequence the designing, planning and implementation of
corporate governance reforms and monitoring the outcome of corporate
governance policies at the private sector level.
Being in and devoted to the region, Hawkamah’s strengths lay in its
proximity to the countries and companies of the Gulf and the Middle East
and in its strong partnerships with international and regional
organizations such as the International Finance Corporation,
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, International
Institute of Finance, Financial Services Volunteer Corps, Global
Corporate Governance Forum, Center for International Private Enterprise,
Union of Arab Banks, Dubai International Financial Centre, among others.
Hawkamah has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the 11th of
December 2007 with the Arab International Women’s Forum (AIWF) to
advocate corporate sector reform and strengthen corporate governance for
women entrepreneurs with their businesses and investments in the MENA
region.
The Hawkamah and AIWF alliance aims to encourage good corporate
governance practices and promote the benefits of sound corporate
governance to women businesses throughout the region. The cooperation
includes conducting corporate governance assessments, research, surveys
and improvement plans for women entrepreneurs and their businesses.
Hawkamah and AIWF will also assist in building capacity for and raising
awareness of good corporate governance in the MENA region through
organizing conferences, roundtables and workshops for women
entrepreneurs.
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AIWF 2007 PROGRAMME PARTNERS - DUBAI
CONFERENCE
GLOBALISATION, TRADE and ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Powering the Future: Arab Business Women in a Modern Economy
The Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai
9 – 11 December 2007
The Arab International Women’s Forum is proud to have received the
support of Global Corporate and Institutional Partners whose generous
support and cooperation made the 2007 Dubai Conference Programme
possible.
Leading
Partners
Programme Partners
Supporting Partners
Conference Support
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AIWF 2007 MEDIA PARTNERS - DUBAI
CONFERENCE
AIWF 2007 PROGRAMME LAUNCH PARTNERS
The Arab International
Women’s Forum extends it special thanks and appreciation to their 2007
Global Partners for their generous support of the 2007 Programme Launch
Programme Partner
Programme Supporting Partners
Conference Partner
The AIWF extends its warmest thanks and
appreciation to Jumeirah Carlton Tower for their ongoing support.
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AIWF 2006 PROGRAMME PARTNER
The Arab International Women's Forum extends
special thanks to Shell International for their generous support of the
AIWF 2006 Programme Launch
AIWF ACKNOWLEDGES
The AIWF would like to
extend their appreciation and gratitude for the kind contributions by
the following Annual Partners
Hildon Ltd - Platinum (2005 – 2006)
IBM - Diamond (2004 – 2007)
Procter and Gamble - Diamond (2003 – 2005)
HSBC - Gold (2005)
The AIWF would like to extend their warmest thanks to Mr Fawzi
Beidas and Mrs Tohfe Beidas for their kind contribution as Annual
Partners (2004-2005) and also for their support of the AIWF News (2003-
2005)
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