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Arab women delegates from the International Visitors Leadership Program meet with NUSACC in Washington DC.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Women are breaking through the “glass ceiling” in corporate America in increasing numbers, and their counterparts in the Arab world aren’t far behind. NUSACC supported a number of programs in 2006 geared toward women in business in the Middle East.

In October, the 2006 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Businesswomen’s Summit was held under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, the Honorary Chairperson of the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council. The event brought 250 dynamic women from the region together with women executives from the United States, including Marleine Davis, NUSACC’s Director of Operations.

The conference addressed the challenges that confront women in business, namely


Fatima Obaid AI-Jaber, Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council Board member, and Marleine Davis converse at the U.S.-UAE Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research in Abu Dhabi.

Women are breaking through the “glass ceiling” in corporate America in increasing numbers, and their counterparts in the Arab world aren’t far behind.

exploring new markets, developing professional skills, financing growth, building and utilizing peer networks, and finding and keeping good employees while contributing to community and caring for family. This broad range of topics important to women entrepreneurs were covered through presentations, workshops, panel discussions and one-on-one sessions with experts.

Organized by the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the Beyster Institute, and the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council, the summit aimed to equip the region’s talented businesswomen with the tools needed to establish and grow successful enterprises and foster productive business relationships through networking and information sharing.

The U.S.-UAE Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research was launched during the conference with speeches from HH Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak and First Lady Laura Bush. U.S.Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy Karen Hughes and H.E. Suhair Al-Ali, Jordan’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, were also among the guest speakers.

Marleine Davis and Shahira Tewfik, NUSACC’s Directors of Operations and Public Affairs, respectively, were invited by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to attend the State Department’s annual Ramadan Iftar dinner in October. The theme of the gathering was “Women Throughout Muslim History.”

“I meet so many dynamic, intelligent, capable, creative, and just warm and wonderful Muslim women who are making a tremendous difference in their countries… When you educate and empower women, almost every other aspect of the society improves, from its health to its economy.”

– Karen Hughes, Under Secretary of State

Under Secretary Karen Hughes recognized the achievements and the beneficial roles in society of the many women invited to attend Iftar meal. She noted, “Today as I

New Honorary Board Member

H.E. Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi

Minister of Economy & Planning

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

When she was named Minister of Economy and Planning in 2004, Sheikha Lubna became the UAE’s first female Cabinet member. Prior to joining that ministry, H.E. was instrumental in implementing e-government initiatives throughout the public sector and served as CEO of Tejari, the Middle East’s premier electronic business-to business marketplace. (Tejari was awarded “Best e-Content Provider in e-business” at the World Summit on the Information Society.) Sheikha Lubna is a member of the Board of Trustees at Zayed University, as well as the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry. NUSACC is pleased and proud to welcome H.E. as an Honorary Board member.

travel the world, I meet so many dynamic, intelligent, capable, creative, and just warm and wonderful Muslim women who are »


Under Secretary of State Karen Hughes speaks at a Ramadan Iftar hosted by the U.S. Department of State.

14   US-Arab Tradeline • 2006: The Year in Review