The fourth annual Qatar International Business Women Forum, organised by Qatari Business Women’s Association (QBWA) in collaboration with Interactive Business Network (IBN), will honour six prominent figures in recognition of their contributions to their country’s economic growth and development.
Aisha Alfardan, vice president, QBWA, announced that those being honoured are HE Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al Sada (Minister of Energy and Industry, Qatar); Prof Sheikha al-Misnad (president, Qatar University); Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor (First Lady of Malaysia); Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev (founder, Isha Foundation, India); Dr Maryam Matar (chairman and founder, the UAE Genetic Diseases Association), and Haifa al-Kaylani (founder and chairman, the Arab International Women’s
Forum).
“They have all also played an active role in supporting the empowerment of women across sectors, within Qatar and internationally,” Alfardan said.
The honouring ceremony will take place at the Forum’s official opening on November 11.
The two-day conference is to be held at St Regis Hotel Doha with the theme of “Arab business women: agents of change”, under the patronage of HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani, the Minister of Economy and Trade.
Since its inception in 2010, the Forum has grown and is now one of the premier platforms for discussion on issues of women and business in the region. Reflecting this success, this year’s event will be the biggest ever, with 900 delegates representing 25 countries including Russia, China, Malaysia, USA, Australia, Spain, the UK and Germany, in addition to countries throughout the Middle East. Princess Hayla al-Saoud will be leading a team of delegates from
Saudi Arabia.
The Forum has also attracted sponsors including: Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil (strategic partners), Qatar Shell (diamond partner), Barwa Bank (silver partner), and Kafac, Sidra, CBA, Laurie Max, HEC Paris, Qatalum (bronze
partners).
Qatar Airways is the official air carrier and Alfardan Motors the official transport partner for the event. Other partners include Occidental Petroleum, Bank of America, Qatar University, Qatar Skills Academy, College of North Atlantic, University of Texas A&M, Virginia Commonwealth University and other media sector partners.
Key speakers at the Forum will include HE Dr al-Sada, Bart Cahir (president and general manager, ExxonMobil Qatar); Wael Sawan (CEO and chairman, Qatar Shell); Aisha Alfardan, and Raed Chehaib (president and CEO, IBN).
The First Lady of Malaysia will deliver the keynote address at the opening of the Forum, followed by Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. Other speakers include Dr Saad al-Barrak (group chairman, ILA in Kuwait); Dr Maryam Matar, and Sheikha Dr Hind al-Qasimi (honorary chairperson, the UAE Business Women Council).
