Asma al-Assad at WIB forum: Human capital is our greatest asset
Syria-Regional, Business, 5/23/2005

Syria's First Lady Asma al-Assad opened at Umayyad palace for conferences on Saturday morning the "Woman in Business International Forum 2005."

Mrs. al-Assad delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the forum in which she hoped that those who are in Syria for the first time will learn much more about us and about our potential as business partners. Mrs. Asma al-Assad said: This year's forum coincides with an especially important chapter in Syria's modern history.

We stand at a crossroads on our own development path, as Syria faces the complex but not insurmountable challenge of creating a sustainable and prosperous future for all its citizens. As I want to show you, the active participation of women in this process is imperative, which is why the timing of this forum is so significant. I believe the strengths and talents of women can and must be released everywhere, but particularly in Syria`s own developing economy, she said adding that Syrian values and our rich heritage figured in many aspects of my life whilst a British education trained me in analytical thinking, creativity and teamwork.

I chose investment banking as a career. And as I climbed the corporate ladder, I learned the rigours of professionalism and of working to the highest international standards and practices in global finance and investment. Syria has a proud history of commerce and manufacturing, built on its position at the center of trading routes, and on the enterprise and energy of its people, H.E. said.

Today, this nation is building again on that heritage. Syria is shaping its business environment for today`s global economy. This means major change at a sustainable pace, introducing the reforms necessary for a dynamic and prosperous enterprise economy. The financial sector is now embracing new and important freedoms. And the investment climate continues to improve as more liberalization is introduced. Further changes to our legislation will cover education, the labour laws and civil society.

Mrs. al-Assad wondered: Another issue for Syria is how do we maximize our greatest asset, our human capital? Whilst a comprehensive reform program is fundamental, it will count for nothing if our workforce cannot respond to new opportunity.

Meanwhile, Egyptian First Lady, Suzan Mubarak addressed the forum by expressing belief that the businesswomen have been contributing to the development of economy and the society in the whole world by various forms. She underlined that the businesswomen deserve the attention of the governments and international organizations. Mrs. Mubarak proposed a number of urgent issues that affect the womens work, the first of which are the targets of work that should affect the sustainable development, the formulation of a work vision and a strategy in which human and development issues are involved.

She pointed out the presence of a big gap between the two sexes in many parts of the developing world within the education levels of the two sexes, and filling this gap was set as one of the developmental targets by the united Nations. Mrs. Mubarak indicated that business is facing international competitiveness due to the bureaucratic complications regarding licensing and registration, a thing that leads to the to the waste of time and resources posing a big obstacle infront of small businesses of most of the women.

She reviewed the experience of the diverse loan sources for small and medium-size firms that was carried out by their Egyptian sectors: The social development Fund, the voluntary efforts of business establishments, and the banking sector.

For her part, Amina Erdogan, wife of Turkish Prime Minister, Receb Tayyip Erdogan addressed the forum by underlining the comprehensive and quick changes that the current century is experiencing and this necessitates the need for new cooperation initiatives and development of a comprehensive outlook that takes into consideration the positive points of agreement that encourages dialogue among the peoples in the world.

She called on the women throughout the world to intensify their activities in all the political, social, and cultural spheres and to embark on their role in decision-making. Mrs. Erdogan said that dialogue is the pre-condition for good relations and cooperation and if dialogue is rejected, with what can it be replaced, or through what one can we create an environment for understanding.

She added dialogue between east and west, north and south, Islam and Christianity is a must to overcome prejudice and establish healthy relations. ? She said: We can learn much from the women who were in position of pioneers and leaders. Ichadija who had sent caravans to Damascus, was an honourable and dignified lady, bringing trade and moral values together. She added: Since Prophet Mohammed was a trustworthy person, she had proposed partnership to him and became one of the most successful merchants of her period. Ichadija was a very good example for women of today who would like to take part in the economic life.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister, Benazir Bhuto addressed the forum by reviewing the long struggle of the women to get her rights and to reach equal footing with the man in life and justice. She said that the current century should be a century that respects women and protect them, ensuring for them a secure world where they can live in peace, allowing them to embark on their role in the societies alongside the men.

Earlier, member of the British Business Committee, Christian Mcfrain expressed happiness for her presence in Damascus the oldest city in history, and for attending this international forum which is being held for the first time in the Middle East under the patronage of Mrs. Asma al-Assad.

On the sideline of the Women in Business International Forum 2005, Mrs. al-Assad opened Business Exhibition. Mrs. al-Assad was accompanied by Mrs. Amina Erdogan and Sheikha Hissa al-Sabah. Participating in the exhibition with products of textile industries, cosmetics, medical equipment, glass and ceramic, household tools, and traditional industries, are companies from Syria, Saudi Arabia, Italy and Tanzania.

The Women in Business International Forum 2005 began its deliberations with a special WiB session under the title Muslim Women in Business that was run by the Secretary General of the Cabinet Muhammad Maher al-Mujtahed. The presentation was made by the former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Muhammed in which the ex-premier presented the experience of Malaysian women in business.

Women play a pivotal role in the national and economic development. Women nowadays have achieved a lot of success and progress in many fields including the political, social and economic, Mahathir said. Women in Malaysia are and have been main pillar in the political field, as they practice their full right to voting. Malaysian woman of today has proved herself better than Malaysian men with regard to education, the fact that asserts that the distinction between the two sexes regarding the intellectual capabilities is illusionary and without any factual basis, Mahathir said.

Malaysia has a special characteristic of possessing cheap labour forces and of creating job opportunities for both men and women. As a result, we have discovered that the electronic industry is the best for women in Malaysia, as they have achieved some 100 million dollars to the countrys budget from the electronics exports, the Malaysian former PM said.

Community Development and Social Welfare and Business was the title of the 1st session of the forum in which Syria's Expatriates Minister Buthaina Shaaban spoke on behalf of Chairman of State Planning Commission Abdullah al-Dardari. Shaaban underlined the importance of womans participation in all domains to achieve development. A number of world countries adopted policies in the fields of education, acquiring skill, training and loans to create further job opportunities for women, Shaaban said. The Expatriates Minister asserted that Syria has realized a remarkable development in educating woman and giving her all her rights despite all challenges. Private sector has to play a key role in developing society, Shaaban said, asserting the necessity of creating job opportunities to achieve balance between economic competence and social justice for all. The speakers who took part in the meeting included Director of the Non-Governmental Associations Arab Network for developing society Amani Hamdi Qandil, Chairperson of Woman Empowerment Establishment Iman Biberce, Member of the Mediterranean Cooperation Establishment, Vicy Buntolo, Member of the British House of Commons Bernin Belbra and a specialist in Information Technology and Economic Development Clare Davidson. The speakers stressed the importance of the forum being held in Damascus which enjoys co-existence between all religions. Businesswomen's activities in the economic, social, cultural and political domains and the obstacles that face them were tackled by the speakers.

Balance between the work and the Private Life was the title of the second workshop in which the Head of the Syrian Young Entrepreneurs Association Basel Nasri made the presentation. The presentation focused on the mechanisms and plans that determine the priorities for a woman to reconcile between the work and the house. Nasri spoke about the necessity of releasing potentials and of discovering the inner real self of a woman in order for her to play her full role in society and business. The projects strategic management that was presented by Sally Vincent, the specialist in human resources and business management consultations, focused on the necessity of developing human resources, of achieving high-levels in business and designing personal strategy in the management of companies.

Previous Stories:
  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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