‘Stellar cast’ of experts to address Qatar International Businesswomen Forum

Organisers of the 5th Qatar International Businesswomen Forum (QIBWF) have announced that a “stellar cast’ of subject experts are expected to deliver a range of topics during the event’s launching on Tuesday at the St Regis Hotel in Doha.

The forum, organised by the Qatari Businesswomen Association and Interactive Business Network, would tackle key issues affecting businesswomen here and abroad. Scheduled topics include women empowerment, entrepreneurship, human development, and corporate social responsibility.

“The anticipation for the start of this year’s forum was heightened by the participation of many distinguished women leaders of society,” said Aisha Alfardan, vice chairwoman of the Qatari Businesswomen Association.

She added, “This further ensures the high-quality of the discussions and enables us to meet the expectations of participants. We are definitely looking forward to another successful edition of QIBWF.”

The forum will also honour Qatar Businessmen Association chairman Sheikh Faisal bin Qassem al-Thani, Qatar Development Bank CEO Abdul Aziz al-Khalifa, and Ooreedoo chief operating officer Waleed Mohamed al-Sayed for their efforts and continuous support for the annual event and the women’s business sector.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s wife, Sare Davutoglu, is expected to deliver the keynote speech before participants from 40 countries.

Davutoglu will be joined by other speakers such as Ooredoo’s al-Sayed, QDB’s al-Khalifa, Qatar Shell Companies director of Communication Sana Bardawil, Qatar Foundation president and acting director for communication Maryha al-Dafa, and a representative from QNB.

Other keynote speakers include Amman Chamber of Commerce board member Reem Badran, Girnass Developer Munera al-Dosari, JMJ Associates senior lead consultant Dennis Percy, Potential community relations manager Monika Papadopoulou, Ukraine Business Women Congress president Alla Kovanlenko, and Fuchs and Associates vice president Mena Benjamin De Seille.

The panel discussions will be moderated by KSA head of National Entrepreneurship Institute Dr Sharif Elabdelwahab, Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies (Hamad Bin Khalifa University) dean Prof Dr Aisha Yousef al-Mannai, Ferris & Co legal advisor Maali Qasem, and Radio Monte Carlo host Nimat al-Matari.

Panelists for the discussions include Dearin & Associates managing director Cynthia Dearin, Businesswoman Sector, Councils of Saudi Chambers director Dr Reem Alfrayan, UN Conference on Trade and Development chief entrepreneurship section Florida Mugione, QBWA board members Mashael al-Ansari and Bouthaina al-Ansari, IBE CSR leader Clarissa Anderson, Qatar Airways vice president for HR Nabila Fakhri, AFEM president Laila Miyara, Bab Rizk Jameel general director of Female Employment Rola Basamad, International Advocate Legal Services founder Dr Diana Hamade, Safira CSR Company founder and MD Maha al-Baghli, Qatar Charity director of micro-project development Munther Zeidan, HEC Paris University affiliate professor Laurance Lehman Ortega, Shefighter founder Lina Khalifeh, Maersk Oil Qatar reservoir engineer Fatima Mahmoud, and Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Crafts assistant minister Zdenka Loncar.

“With a stellar cast of women achievers and businessmen from across the world among the distinguished line-up of speakers at the event, this year’s forum promises to be another huge success,” said Interactive Business Network CEO Raed Chehaib, who added that Qatar Petroleum will be the Official Energy Partner of the event.

Other sponsors and partners include QNB as the Official Banking Partner, Ooredoo as Official Telecom Partner, Qatar Shell as the Diamond Sponsor, QDB as Strategic Partner, Qatar Chemical and Petrochemical Marketing and Distribution Company (Muntajat) as Silver Sponsor; Qatar Petrochemical Company as Lanyard Sponsor’ Texas A&M as Educational Partner, Qatar Businessmen Association as Lunch Host, Al Fardan Automobiles as the Official Car Provider, Qatar Airways as Official Carrier, Arrayah as Official Newspaper; and CNBC Arabia as Official Arabic Broadcaster.