Jordan Times
Sunday, February 25, 2007
First National Businesswomen’s
Conference slated for next month
By Hana Namrouqa
AMMAN — Some 120 professional businesswomen from across the Kingdom will convene
next month to come up with an action plan to increase women’s contribution to
the national economy.
The Jordan Forum for Business and Professional Woman (JFBPW) is organising the
First National Businesswomen’s Conference on March 4-5 under the patronage of
Her Majesty Queen Rania, who is JFBPW honorary president, to identify and
address the challenges facing businesswomen.
“We realised the need for a local rather than international or regional
conference that would discuss the situation of local businesswomen and study
possibilities of amending legislation to further empower businesswomen,” JFBPW
Chairman Senator Wijdan Saket told reporters at a press conference on Saturday
to announce the event.
Participants will discuss four main aspects: Women and trade, use of IT in
women’s businesses, women and economic decision-making positions as well as
regulations and laws affecting businesswomen in Jordan.
Each of the four themes were based on studies and experience, taking into
consideration that each aspect is in itself an endeavour that needs independent
meetings and studies, JFBPW CEO Rana Akhal said.
Building on the recommendations, participants will draw up a five-year action
plan to boost local businesswomen’s contribution to trade and economic
decision-making.
More than 32,000 projects are unregistered at the Chamber of Commerce, Saket
estimated, adding that the forum will encourage women from remote areas to
register at the chambers of industry and trade to introduce them to the positive
prospects available.
The JFBPW was established in 1967 as a non-profit organisation seeking to
develop, empower and advocate for local business and professional women.
It has several socio-economic objectives, including attracting and developing a
cadre of active, career-minded professionals prepared to take up leadership
positions and a more dynamic role in the country.