Qatari business women forum, pilot organization for economic action

Encouraged by the leadership and government, Qatari women have been able to effectively get engaged with the social, economic and political activities and have proved capable of positively contributing to all aspects of life. Women started business in sectors reserved before for men only. Now they are speculating at the Doha Securities Market. Women are fully confident that they are capable of engaging into business in a way that would provide a positive and effective contribution to Qatari economic scene. Business women in Qatar, some 500, are now present in all sectors and head about 800 companies. Business women in Qatar owe too much for the ministry of economy, which spares no effort to help tem establish their companies and projects. They also benefit from limitless support in terms of advise on successful projects. Beside the support of the ministry, business women receive encouragement from Qatar Chamber of Commerce & Industry which has been fully aware that women's contribution to economic activities and constitute a real gain to both Qatari women and the society at large. Investment experts in Qatar say that women activities in the DSM are encouraged by the easy nature of investment in the market in one hand and the need to small capitals on the other. the general secretary of QBWF Ibtehag Mohammed Al-Ahmadani, said that what women realized in Qatar is an achievement. It reflects the economic development in the country and the progressing awareness of this category, she added. This could not be achieved without the support of the H.H the Emir and his Consort, Her Highness Sheikha Mouzah Bint Nasser Al-Misnad and Sheikha AlAnoud bint Khalifa, the president of the forum, Ibtehag Mohammed Al-Ahmadani pointed out. Ibtehag Mohammed Al-Ahmadani, a young Qatari woman who has invested in several sectors, mainly in the stock exchange market, said that the Qatari women has been successful in all their investments such as heavy industries, shipping, car industry, malls, clinics, fashion and cosmetics. Accordingly, Qatari business women do not miss any event be it local, inter-Arab or international. They participate in forums and meetings. Recently, they took part in the international forum of business women held in Damascus and the meeting of Muslim business women in the United Arab Emirates and several other meetings in Dubai, Tunisia and Bahrain and most re3cently in the conference about women and international trade hosted by London. On suggestions of the forum to enhance the role of the woman in the economy, Al-ahmadani, said that they are currently studying the idea of establishing a consultancy office under the umbrella of the forum to suggest ideas and recommendations about investment and exchange of expertise in this domain. "Women have proved they are capable of managing big projects and investments that they could not do before as they were believed to be for men (…) Now they proved that they can succeed in major projects in different realms such as real estate sector, which was monopolized by men for a long time", she explained. Ibtehag Mohammed Al-Ahmadani further noted that the role of the chamber of commerce and industry was crucial in developing and strengthening links of cooperation in trade and economic relations between Qatari business women and provide the atmosphere necessary to ensure that their effective contribution in the national economy. Explaining the objectives of the forum, Al-Ahmadani said that it seek to accomplish several objectives including but not limited to: 1.promoting the role of Qatari women in making their own decisions in exercising commercial and economic activities. 2.encouraging Qatari women to effectively contribute to the establishment of small-scale business and artisan activities. 3.emphasizing the role played by the private sector and Qatari women in their efforts to contribute to business and investment and skills. 4.assisting Qatari business women to absorb business and economic laws and regulations through holding regular meetings and seminars as well as upgrading businesswomen capabilities and skills. 5.adopting educational issues that aim at upgrading the capabilities of women to help strengthen the role of women I the process of overall economic development. 6.handling the constraints facing Qatari businesswomen and submitting such constraints to the authorities concerned to help in finding the appropriate solutions. 7.representing Qatari  women in international and regional economic events, receiving counterpart delegations and strengthening cooperation between Qatari businesswomen and their foreign counterparts.