WIB forum as viewed by participants
Syria-Regional, Business, 5/23/2005

Syria's Minister of Expatriates Buthaina Shaaban said Sunday that the already concluded "Women in Business International Forum 2005" held in Damascus had given an idea on the Arab women ambition to play an important and effective role in society.

"The Forum constitutes a turning point that enables Syria to continue playing a remarkable role in similar upcoming conferences," Minister Shaaban said in a statement following the end of the two-day Forum.

She referred to the big participation of Syrian women who live abroad, adding that the Forum has opened the door for a better relation between them and motherland Syria.

Member of the European Parliament, Beatrice Perry underlined the importance of the forum and considered it as an important step on the way that would lead women to equality and absolute respect, a change to which the businesswomen have contributed in various countries of the world, pointing out to the cultural and civilized links that promote the building of economic and cultural partnership in the Mediterranean basin for the sake of a prosperous region.

The founder of the Business Women International Society, Ahmad Suleiman pointed out that the forum came as a fruit of a long preparation lasted for more than a year. "We have discovered, thorough the forum activities, that we can offer many things to the women in the region as in the world as a whole." He said. "We laid the cornerstone for a work plan that enables Arab and Western woman to improve and expand their works particularly that Arab women have achieved remarkable progress and they can teach western women many things as well they are able to learn from the western women in several fields."

"The forum presented to participants rich ideas on information, technology, environment, healthy care and projects management in addition to another issues," chairman of Eligo international Antony Baily said.

"Women in Business International Forum will contribute for a long-time in dialogue of civilizations and cultures through the wide participation and interaction among businesswomen from different states," member of the Syrian-British Society, Ghaith Armanazi mentioned, emphasizing that this interaction would leave a good impact on participants in the current forum and forthcoming forums.

"The forum showed the real image of Syria as well it was an opportunity for supporting Syrian and Arab business sector." member of MAWRED board of directors Rafif Reslan said.

Earlier, the forum wrapped up deliberations with the participation of Mrs. Asma al-Assad. Mrs. Al-Assad followed up the two-day forum's activities and held meetings with wife of Turkish Premier Mrs. Emine Erdogan, a number of international personalities and Arab and foreign delegations participants in the forum.

During the final session, speakers concentrated on the fact that women are seeking to play a key role in society, and stressed the necessity of enhancing fraternity concept among women as well as giving them loans in order to participate in the business world.

For her part, Chairwoman of the Arab Businesswomen Council, Sheikha Hussa al-Sabah of Kuwait described the Forum as "successful," saying that convening the Forum at this time as the West sees Arab women in a different image, unlike reality, is considered a success for Syria and the Arabs.

She stressed the Forum has found opportunities to establish work and new partnerships between Arab and international women.

"The Forum is very important in the sense that it found common cooperation between Arab and foreign countries and paved the way for exchanging opinions and hearing the other side," Maha al-Malki of Saudi Arabia said.

Previous Stories:
  Shell Syria general manager Campbell Keir   (5/21/2005)
  Mrs. Hissa al-Sabah arrived in Damascus   (5/21/2005)
  Woman in Business International Forum convened today   (5/21/2005)
  Khulud Halaby: WIB to create intellectual, social and economic interaction   (5/18/2005)

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