Qatar Chamber board member Ibtihaj al-Ahmadani speaking at the forum. PICTURE: Jayan Orma

By Peter Alagos
Business Reporter

A female board member of Qatar Chamber has underscored the role of women in enhancing the business landscape of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) during the 3rd Gulf Businesswomen Forum, which concluded yesterday at the St Regis Hotel here.
Qatar Chamber board member Ibtihaj al-Ahmadani described the achievements of GCC women today as “outstanding,” and could serve as role models to others.
Al-Ahmadani also stressed the need to develop “tools for transparency and equality” to create a balanced economy “where social and economic goals can be achieved.”
“Our vision should be accompanied with an environment with legislations and laws to create a balanced economy…I wish this forum could serve as an opportunity to lay down a new foundation and principles that would provide a big boost for GCC women,” al-Ahmadani said.
During the forum, participants have drafted eight recommendations that aim to support women both socially and economically.
These included stimulating and encouraging the establishment of women’s economic alliances to enable entrepreneurs to be involved in major projects and emphasis on obstacles facing the business community, which should not discriminate men and women. The forum also recommended the creation of a specialist database under the umbrella of the Federation of GCC Chamber’s Secretariat for the exchange of information and experiences, and the establishment of a committee to follow up on the forum’s recommendations and seeking mechanisms of implementation.
It also called for the establishment of a training and consultancy centre to enable Gulf businesswomen to conduct business, and to encourage young businesswomen “to embrace excellence and uniqueness and not to imitate existing projects.”
A recommendation calling for the inclusion of educational programmes and lessons on business in elementary schools will be taken up with the Union Council, al-Ahmadani said.
She added that the forum also recommended the production of a specialised encyclopedia for Gulf businesswomen.
“The progress of women is measured by how much they enable other women and how they treat all gender equally. The aim of every sustainable development relies mainly on the participation of all elements of the community,” al-Ahmadani said.
She added: “If we want women to progress, we need to create a conducive environment for them and we need to come up with a new and serious initiative that can help them develop the economy…this forum must serve as a platform to create a new era for women.”