Speech by Arab Businesswomen Council Chairwoman

The idea of founding a council for Arab businesswomen was born in Cairo, Egypt at the beginning of 1999s, when the first assembly, the Conference of Businesswomen, took place.  It was decided to establish a United Arab Council for Businesswomen that is comprised of businesswomen's organizations in different Arab states. In fact, this Council aims at developing economic relations, cooperation and coordination between Arab businesswomen first, and increasing the volume of bilateral trade and commercial deals among the Arab states. This could certainly lead to an economic development in the Arab world, boosted by the benefits of the advantages provided by bilateral and collective agreements among the Arab States….

After many successive meetings and strenuous deliberations between 13 Arab countries, the decision to establish an Arab Businesswomen Council was taken unanimously on 29th September 1999.  The Council was established under the auspices of the Arab League after holding an Election of Board of Directors and assigning everyone's functions and titles within the Council….

Moreover, the statute of the Council, laws, regulations and ordinances helping to determine the legal and official nature of its work were all set, in order to pave the way for every single businesswoman to play a role in strengthening the trade and economic cooperation among the Arab world… Under the present circumstances, whereby the international community is tending towards major economic blocs, We, the Arab nation, realize that We should strengthen the path towards establishing a united entity capable of standing robustly. We have to concentrate all our energies and wisdom. We can summon to the cause of achieving the Council's success, its activities and objectives shall be met so that economic prosperity and comfort will lie ahead of our peoples.

I herein call upon all the interested Arab businesswomen to contact the Council in order to broadband its activities, by increasing female members who shall push forward its economic development.
May God help us all to serve the common good of all Arabs.

Sheikha Hessa Saad al-Abdullah Al-Sabah.