Qatar Development Bank (QDB) will be the strategic partner of the fifth edition of the annual Qatar International Businesswomen Forum (QIBWF), which will be held on December 16 and 17 at the St Regis Doha.

Organised by the Qatari Businesswomen Association, in collaboration with Interactive Business Network, the event will carry the theme “Business Women and the New Age of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Social Responsibility.”

“Qatar Development Bank proudly supports entrepreneurs and SMEs in Qatar because they play a key role in the economic development and future of our country. The contribution of women to economic success and development is no less than that of men and that contribution extends into the community where women play a vital role,” said QDB chief executive Abdulaziz bin Nasser al-Khalifa. “QDB encourages and enables female entrepreneurs to grow successful businesses in Qatar. We are proud that women play an integral part of the larger strategy and vision of QDB. We will continue to support Qatari businesswomen to the fullest and invest in their vast capabilities and talents.”

QDB supports local industries, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar by promoting and facilitating the development and growth of SMEs in core economic realms resulting in long-term socio-economic benefits.

“We are truly grateful to QDB for their support as strategic partners of QIBWF,” said Aisha Alfardan, vice chairwoman of the Qatari Businesswomen Association. She added, “Clearly, the support of the financial sector as represented by QDB is a vital component in pushing and encouraging entrepreneurs, especially women, to pursue their business aspirations. This support is indeed essential and will surely help in building a strong businesswomen sector that is not only equipped with more than enough skills, knowledge and expertise, but also the much-needed capital.”

Interactive Business Network CEO Raed Chehaib said, “The development of small and medium enterprises is a vital component for any economy to succeed. They form the foundation of some of the most developed nations anywhere in the world.”

“As any business may begin with a simple idea, entrepreneurship requires not just the business acumen and skills but also capital. Thus, while today’s businesswomen in Qatar may already possess the required skills and expertise, access to capital, particularly from QDB, will surely help facilitate the growth of women-driven entrepreneurship in the country,” he added.