SYRIA: Syria hosts forum for business women from Islamic countries

Record ID: 279807

  • Title: SYRIA: Syria hosts forum for business women from Islamic countries
  • Date: 3rd November 2008
  • Summary: (MER1) DAMASCUS, SYRIA (NOVEMBER 2, 2008) (REUTERS) MEMBERS OF AUDIENCE LISTENING TO SPEAKER DURING FORUM CLOSE UP OF BANNER IN ARABIC READING: ''UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF ASMAA AL-ASSAD, THE FOURTH FORUM FOR BUSINESS WOMEN IN ISLAMIC COUNTRIES'' VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ATTENDING FORUM MAHA MOSTAFA AKEEL, MANAGING EDITOR OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE JOURNAL, ATTENDING FORUM
  • Embargoed: 18th November 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA9RVNDTUMTTFL0YG92DXKO5NLT
  • Story Text: About 200 businesswomen from across the Islamic world take part in the fourth Business Women's Forum held in Syria.
    The Fourth Forum for Business Women in Islamic Countries opened its doors Sunday (November 2) in the Syrian capital, Damascus, with participation from almost 200 businesswomen representing more than 40 Islamic countries.
    The forum allows a platform for business women to interact and exchange ideas while highlighting the role women play in current economic development.

    "The goal is to create a network of co-operation between business women, especially since most business women are involved in small businesses or very small enterprises,'' said Maha Mostafa Akeel, Managing Editor of the Islamic Conference Journal.
    ''So, the wider the field of co-operation among them, the bigger are the opportunities for growth and development of these companies and to benefit from one another's experiences," Akeel added.
    The three-day forum is jointly organised by the Syrian Chamber of Commerce, Islamic industries and Islamic financial institutions. It focuses on the role of culture, media and tourism in developing economic prosperity.
    Dr. Mohamad al-Nujaifi, Head of the Islamic Development Bank, said his organisation established a special program to help business women.

    "As the bank realises the importance of women, it started to establish a specialist unit called the Non-Governmental Organisation, Women and Development Unit, to support independent facilities for women and women's organisations, because the bank realises the importance of civil society."
    The forum, previously held in the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Qatar, helps re-inforce commercial ties and establishing good partnerships between participating countries.

    "They were useful and we had so many experiences. We wish those forums increase so we can stay in touch with Western, Islamic and European countries," said Mayada Adjan el-Hadid, Vice President of Business Women's Committee in Aleppo, Syria.
    An exhibition featuring products made by business women from Islamic countries will accompany the forum.
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