Arab businesswomen strengthen ties with Western counterparts

More than 1,500 businesswomen from across the world gathered in the Syrian capital, Damascus between 20-22 May to strengthen relations and learn about boosting women’s economic participation in the region. “The Women in Business International forum enabled Syrian businesswomen to meet their counterparts from Arab, European, Asian, and African countries,” Yassmina Azhari, a Syrian businesswoman, told IRIN in Damascus. Choosing Syria as the venue and not the UK, where the event has been held for the last eight years, was a recognition of Syria’s efforts to empower women in all domains especially in business, she added. Some of the key topics discussed were international regulations and global trade, IT and new technology, developing business and public relations. The forum was attended by high profile women such as Egypt’s first lady, Suzanne Mubarak, former Pakistani Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto and the wife of Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Statistics show that less than a third of women in the Middle East participate in the labour force, the lowest anywhere in the world, according to regional economists. This is because of persistent social and economic barriers that limit women's access to economic opportunities. “Most Syrian men are open and understand that women’s work in business greatly supports the national economy. However, upon signing the Syrian-European partnership, serious competition will start between men and women in this tough market and only those who can prove their efficiency will survive,”Azhari said. The EU and Syria issued an agreement in 2004, yet to be signed, on trade liberation and economic and financial dealings. The conference focused on investment, enhancing women’s role in the economy and expanding business networking. It was the largest ever event of its kind in the region and was organised by the UK-based Women in Business International in cooperation with the Syrian Mawred NGO, the British-Syrian Society and Eligo International, a public relations company. “In Syria, the main obstacle I see for the development of women in business is the lack of access to cheap capital [loans] to invest and found a new enterprise. This is very common across most developing economies,” according to Angus Blair, a businessman from the UK attending the forum, who spoke to IRIN. “Another obstacle is the bureaucracy required to start a new business. However, I believe there is strong governmental will to get rid of that,” he added. Laila Karami, chief of the business women’s committee in Lebanon, told IRIN that the event gave them inspiration. “I came away with new ideas, good relationships with businesswomen from Arab and foreign countries and I got to know how Western women in business work,” she said. British Member of Parliament (MP) Christine McCafferty, said the conference provided a platform for Arab businesswomen, where people were seeing the reality of “very educated dynamic businesswomen.” Other participants said the event had helped to change misconceptions and stereotypes in the media about Arab women and their value within society. “I had an opportunity to visit Syria and see it for myself with my own eyes. In the West we are misinformed about many of the Arab countries. Syrian businesswomen are stunning! There is a real sense of freedom that I feel when I look around,” UK-based businesswoman, Naila Hussain told IRIN at the forum.