3rd Qatar International Businesswomen Forum slated for October

The Qatar International Businesswomen Forum (QIBF) has this week announced its return for a third successive year in October 2012, following the huge successes of 2010 and 2011. On October 15 and 16, the venue for the third gathering of the QIBF will be the newly-opened St. Regis Hotel Doha.

Last year, under the patronage of HH Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, the event attracted nearly 800 delegates from the GCC, Europe and the Americas. Hugely successful and influential in its scope, the decision to reconvene for a third time this year was an automatic one, with the goal of attracting and engaging  more delegates from a larger number of countries also.

The Forum, which has gained recognition as one of the most successful events in the region focusing on issues of Arab women in business and economic life generally, will again be organised by the Qatari Businesswomen Association (QBWA) in collaboration with Interactive Business Network. 

The organisers have explained that the third QIBF will be influenced by, and take account of, the upheavals taking place in the Arab World, as well as developments in the global economy. The Forum will thus look at the broader implications of the move towards democratisation in the region for women’s causes, particularly in terms of broader political participation, equality in job opportunities and other matters, as well as the impact of economic conditions arising from the ‘Arab Spring’ situation and the new crises in the international economy on prospects for the Arab economies generally, and prospects for Arab businesswomen in particular.

Aisah Al Fardan, Vice Chairwoman of the QBWA, explained, “The Qatar Businesswomen Association, and the Forum itself, were born of the recognition that women’s issues are growing in importance and gaining support in the Arab World. This third annual Forum will reinforce its reputation as one of the leading and most relevant women’s events, and will discuss important topics and hopefully come up with practical solutions that can be implemented.”

Some of the topics which will be examined at the Forum include: Perspectives on the ‘post-revolution’ Arab economies; Challenges facing Arab businesswomen in this transitional economic period; Investment and asset management strategies during conditions of uncertainty and Risk/reward scenarios for Arab women entrepreneurs within prevailing cultural constraints, among others. There will also be workshops on corporate governance in Arab companies, branding and other topics.

Raed Chehaib, Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Interactive Business Network, commented, “This may only be the third meeting but it’s fair to say the Forum is established as a pivotal event in the calendar of businesswomen, with a global influence. This year, we expect the Forum to attract wide participation and interest from senior government officials, business leaders, financiers, economists, specialists, representatives of civil society, NGOs, women leaders in business and other professions and activities, and sponsors from many other areas of activity. The Forum is going to be a major media event; bigger, better and more influential than last year, and simply unmissable for businesswomen in the Gulf and beyond.”

Last year’s Forum attracted an array of influential delegates and VVIPs among them was H.E. Abdulla Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Deputy Prime Minister of Qatar and the Head of Emiri Diwan; H.E. Dr Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, Secretary General – General Secretariat for Development Planning in Qatar; Lebanese MP H.E. Bahia Al Hariri; Jordanian Senator H.E. Suhair al Ali; Dr Sabah Abdel Rasoul Al Tamimi, the President of the Iraqi Businesswomen Association; Reem Badran, the Jordanian MP; Fatma Al Jaber, COO of the UAE’s Al Jaber Group; German television anchor Astrid Frohlof, and many others.

The sponsors’ roster for QIBF 2102 is lengthy and prestigious, reflecting the influence and importance of the event itself. Exxon Mobil has taken the Diamond package, while Shell will be the Platinum sponsor, in addition to five Gold sponsors: Al Ahli Bank, Maersk Oil, QAFCO, Qatar Petroleum and IBQ.

Barwa Bank, Commercial Bank and QAPCO have taken up the Silver sponsorship package, while Occidental OXY is the Bronze sponsor.

Carnegie Mellon University is the Educational Partner for the event. The Official Carrier of the event is Qatar Airways and lanyards are sponsored by Conoco Phillips. Media sponsors are: Oxford Business Group, Argaam, Al Mar’aand Inspirational Woman Magazines. Last but not least, the A2A Production is the Online Media Solutions Sponsor.

Further information about the Forum’s delegates and schedule for 2012 will be released in due course.

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