General Assembly of the Arab Businesswomen Council, Presided Over by Kuwait at the Arab League, Kicks Off

Cairo, Sept 30 (KUNA) -- The regular meeting of the General Assembly of the Arab Women Businesswomen Council (AWBC) kicked off today, Wednesday, under the chairmanship of Sheikhah Hessa Al-Sabah, with the participation of prominent female economic figures to discuss enhancing women’s role in the economy and supporting Arab partnerships.

In her opening address, Council Chair Sheikhah Hessa stated that Arab women represent a genuine economic force capable of creating opportunities, leading institutions, and contributing to shaping the future of their homelands, emphasizing that empowering women constitutes an investment in the future of the Arab nation. She expressed her delight that the meeting is being held at the Arab League, describing it as “the venerable Arab home and incubator for joint Arab initiatives.”

Sheikhah Hessa clarified that the gathering “is not a fleeting occasion but rather a celebration of a journey that began as a dream and, through determination and effort, evolved into an Arab economic entity.” She highlighted the AWBC’s conviction that Arab women are a fundamental partner in supporting the economy and shaping the future. She added that the Arab League has played a major role in hosting and supporting the Council’s mission throughout its various stages, enabling it to become one of the Arab entities dedicated to empowering women, enhancing their economic presence, encouraging entrepreneurship, and fostering investment in youth.

The Council Chair highlighted the League’s achievements in supporting the Council and shaping its trajectory, describing them as “a foundation for building a greater and stronger future.” She extended her gratitude to the League’s former Secretaries-General, notably the late Dr. Essam El-Din Abd al-Majid, as well as Amr Moussa, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, and Dr. Nabil Fahmy.

She also expressed her appreciation for her late father, Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, former Emir of Kuwait, affirming that he was a pillar and motivation for her to persist in her dream of establishing an entity that unites Arab businesswomen under a single Arab umbrella and network, integrating relationships, energies, and expertise.

For her part, Dr. Hala El-Said, Economic Advisor to the Egyptian President, stated that the coming phase requires a transition in the role of Arab women from mere participation in economic activities to having a real impact on their trajectories and shaping their future, amid the region’s rapidly escalating political and geopolitical challenges. She added that women have become a key partner in shaping the future and supporting the economy, noting that the challenge lies in transforming the individual successes of Arab businesswomen into an economic force that supports joint Arab action by building broader links and partnerships.

El-Said stressed that cooperation between businesswomen and Arab institutions “is not a luxury but a necessity for success,” calling for genuine partnerships that connect companies, investors, and opportunity holders across Arab countries. She emphasized the need for Arab capital to become a “bridge connecting our homelands,” thereby contributing to the development of projects and partnerships that transcend local market boundaries and leverage the vast potential of the Arab market.

El-Said called for investment in technology and artificial intelligence, and their utilization in developing projects and achieving further success, noting that knowledge has become one of the most important forms of capital in the modern economy. She affirmed that the responsibility of every successful businesswoman toward the new generation of women lies in transferring expertise and knowledge and paving the way for more female entrepreneurs, thereby transforming individual success into economic and social strength.

For her part, Amal Ammar, Chair of the Egyptian National Council for Women, considered that women’s economic empowerment is no longer merely one of the development pathways but has become a strategic path linked to countries’ ability to sustain growth and enhance the competitiveness of their economies. She added that the meeting carries important implications for strengthening joint Arab action and the role of Arab women in the economic sphere, opening broader horizons for cooperation among businesswomen in Arab countries.

Ammar stated that women have become partners in decision-making, production, and investment, making the enhancement of their economic participation a key element in supporting the competitiveness of national economies. She pointed out that the National Council for Women has supported numerous projects and programs targeting women, providing opportunities for training, employment, and capacity building, and opening avenues for Egyptian models to reach broader levels of success and competitiveness.

Ammar affirmed that Egyptian women are no longer merely beneficiaries of empowerment programs but have become partners in production, investment, and development, emphasizing efforts to strengthen this trend and expand its scope across the Arab region. She expressed the National Council for Women’s pride in collaborating with the Arab Women Businesswomen Council, stressing the importance of enhancing the partnership between the two sides to support the role of Arab women and leverage their capabilities in contributing to shaping the future.

The meeting includes the screening of a documentary on the journey of the Arab Women Businesswomen Council, alongside the General Assembly session, which will witness the presentation of the financial and administrative reports, as well as the administrative positions and structure of the Council for the eighth term, spanning from 2026 to 2030. (End) M.M. / F.S.