Raja Al Gurg and Fayza Al Sayed chosen to represent the UAE

They have been honored for their sincere work in developing the role of the Emirati woman and also for the prestigious position they occupy in society.

This step is in accordance with the plan of the US-Middle East Partnership Initiative for opening new business network centers for women in six countries of the Middle East and North Africa, namely, the Emirates centre, the Saudi Arabian centre, the Bahraini centre, the Palestinian centre, the Lebanese centre and the Moroccan centre.

The mission of these centers will be to strengthen Arab businesswomen by offering training courses in their workplaces and by vocational guidance, and also by hosting international experts to exchange opinions and ideas with them, in addition to supporting them in the social and political domains.

There have been many meetings between the US-Middle East Partnership Initiative officials and the businesswomen from the Middle East, to exchange views about backing the woman's role in the region, and inspiring them to play a bigger role in future, especially in the light of the progress that many countries of the region have made and the contribution of women to it. Recently, a meeting was held in Abu Dhabi which was the third meet after those held in Bahrain and Jeddah. Another meet will be held in February, followed by the last meeting in March, 2007, in Washington DC. It is expected that the last meeting will finalize the goals and the working mechanisms of these centers that will strengthen the position of women regionally.

Mrs. Raja Easa Al Gurg said that she felt glad and proud for being chosen to represent her beloved nation in an organization that enjoyed credibility and had the ambition to develop the role of women in the Middle East. "I hope everybody gets this right and since our nation has given us so much, it is our duty is to represent it in the best possible way in any international gathering," she said.

She added that "the Emirati woman has been working very hard during the last many years and she has proven her ability in taking responsibility and accomplishing her important role in society. She has understood the mechanisms of the markets and seized investment opportunities that are available in the region. This has qualified her to become a successful businesswoman not only locally, but also internationally. Therefore, the Emirati businesswoman has become a focus of admiration for all."

Mrs. Faiza Al Sayed said that choosing her along with Mrs. Raja Easa Al Gurg to represent the United Arab Emirates was an honor for her. "We will work hard by making efforts for the progress and increasing woman's role in the UAE society at all levels," she added.