Marrakesh hosts global women summit next month

Marrakesh will play host next June 28-30 to the 13th global summit for women where some 700 political and business executive women, from 80 countries, are expected.

The summit is a unique initiative in its ability to gather in the same conference room entrepreneurs, executives and women in government to discuss how to influence the direction of women in business.

Nicknamed "the Davos for women," the summit is held for the first time in an Arab country. Previous sessions were held in Montreal (1990), Dublin (1992), Taipei (1994), Miami (1997), London (1998), Buenos Aires (1999), Johannesburg (2000), Hong Kong (2001) and Barcelona (2002).

It is sponsored by the Global Summit of Women, a non-profit organization headed by an international planning committee of women leaders.

The organization says on its website the sessions deals with women's economic literacy and imparts practical strategies developed in different parts of the world. Workshops will look into strategic networking, the value of exporting, growing micro-enterprises into mainstream business through trade, strengthening women business associations and learning how to do business on-line.

Organizers say as the first Arab country to host the summit, Morocco brought 35 women to parliament at its recent election and three women as ministers.