Princess Haya applauds Arab businesswomen's initiatives

This is because they are strong supporters of development, modernization and progress, she said.

Princess Haya expressed these views in a speech given by Mrs. Raja Easa Al Gurg, President of Dubai Business Women Council, (subsidiary of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry) and Executive Director of Easa Al Gurg Group of Companies, on behalf of Her Royal Highness in a panel discussion organized by Forbes Arabia magazine on Wednesday evening in the Majlis Al Salam Ballroom at Mina A' Salam Hotel, on the occasion of launching the new issue of the magazine.

The discussion took place in the presence of a group of businesswomen-activists in various economic sectors.

It aimed to take up topics relating to investment environment and great challenges which are obstacles to the success of projects and private businesses.

In its latest issue, Forbes Arabia has made a list of the 50 most powerful Arab businesswomen executives of 2008, who run businesses but not own them.

Her Highness explained that Arab businesswomen, especially Emiratis, have established a remarkable success stories and have become role models for businesswomen in other countries, since they have acquired skills that make them manage their work with high efficiency and professionalism.

Arab businesswoman have proven abilities as trustworthy and strong supports to decision makers, which make the latter choose them for the highest positions in governmental institutions and even in major corporations and private foundations.

She expressed thanks and appreciation to Forbes Arabia magazine on its initiative and its commendable efforts to shed light on the reality of the work of Arab businesswomen and the nature of investments in the region.

She stressed the need to pay attention to young people and to graduate a new generation of businesswomen who are fully aware of the requirements and challenges of the next stage of business development, and to add more women to the ranks of businesswomen that has been built in the past decades.

This generation will be responsible for preparing itself well to bear its responsibilities towards society, she said.
Businesswomen should equip themselves with science and knowledge and should have the spirit of innovation and adopt pioneering ideas and initiatives, she said.

She also stressed the importance of keeping pace with rapid developments taking place in the world today and to secure a life of dignity for the next generation.

She pointed out the keenness of Arab women to actively participate in shaping the future of their societies.

She mentioned that according to recent statistics, women's investments in the Gulf region reach about Dhs42bn, which constitutes approximately 12% of total current deposits in Gulf banks.

20% of mutual funds is investments is from women, while businesswomen in UAE invest more than Dhs12.4bn in many different sectors, which underlines the need to find investment platforms that fit the volume of these investments and create new opportunities, she said.