Al-Marzouq: Economic empowerment of women is a cornerstone for enhancing national economic competitiveness
The Kuwait Women and Economy Conference launched with participation from government, academic, and banking sectors to discuss women's economic empowerment.
Translated by Qiyas from الوسط — Original source
The first edition of the “Women and the Economy” conference kicked off in Kuwait yesterday, under the patronage and attendance of Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment Abdulaziz Nasser Al-Marzouq, in collaboration with Kuwait University and the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, to discuss ways to expand women’s economic participation and the role of technology, finance, and policies in supporting them.
The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan. The opening address was delivered by Tayba Al-Humaidi, founder of the “Li Wa Lakum” initiative, followed by a speech by Minister Al-Marzouq, who emphasized that women’s economic empowerment is a cornerstone for building a more competitive and diversified national economy, aligning with the targets of the “New Kuwait 2035” vision.
Al-Marzouq highlighted the importance of dialogue among government entities, the private sector, and academic circles in creating new opportunities that enhance women’s contribution to economic development.
For her part, Al-Humaidi stated that the conference aims to bring together policymakers, investors, and business leaders to exchange knowledge and strengthen partnerships, thereby supporting women’s presence in the Kuwaiti economy. She noted that the conference proceedings will continue tomorrow through discussions aimed at formulating practical recommendations and expanding cooperation opportunities.
The conference also witnessed the announcement by National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) of the launch of the “NBK FoundHer” program to support Kuwaiti female entrepreneurs with existing businesses. The program provides practical training covering financial, marketing, and legal aspects, business development, and presentation skills, alongside access to experts’ insights and professional networking opportunities.
Participants will present their business development plans before a specialized jury panel, with selected projects receiving financial grants to help implement their plans.
The first session, titled “Current Reality,” examined the current state of women’s economic participation in Kuwait and the challenges they face, alongside showcasing success stories and experiences. It featured female leaders from Boubian Capital, the Direct Investment Promotion Authority, Kuwait Finance House, and Kuwait Investment Company.
The second session, titled “The Future of Women in the Economy,” explored the impact of artificial intelligence, fintech, and policies on building a more inclusive economy. Speakers included representatives from Agility, JPMorgan, IKEA, and the National Bank of Kuwait. The program also included a presentation on behavioral finance and its role in improving financial decision-making.
The conference program will conclude tomorrow with a closed-door roundtable at the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the Investment Companies Union, to discuss transitioning from women’s participation to enhancing their economic contribution. This will be followed by a meeting with Kuwait University students on jobs, artificial intelligence, financial decisions, and their impact on their future.
