UAE’s leading businesswomen meet with key Malaysian officials & industry heads

Date: December 18, 2011

Delegates of the Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC) successfully enhanced partnership channels with their Malaysian counterparts during the UAE Malaysia Power Ladies Roundtable 2011 which was held recently in Malaysia.

The UAE delegates were led by DBWC President Raja Al Gurg who was accompanied by Fatima Obaid Al Jaber; Faiza Al Sayed; Fathiya Saeed Al Khamari; Khawla A Lootah; Sara Ismail Mohamed; Samia Abdullah Saleh; Huda A Al-Matroushi; and Nashwa Al-Qubaisi.

Soon after their arrival, the delegates attended a gala Queen’s Foundation Charity Fashion Show Dinner that was also attended by His Excellency Nasser Abdullah Salmon Al Aboudi, UAE Ambassador to Malaysia. The following day, the ladies made a courtesy call on the Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia, Tan Sri Sidek Mohd Hassan in Putrajaya. They were also given presentations on Malaysia’s investment environment by the Ministry of International and Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) before meeting Datuk Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria, Secretary General of MITI.

The roundtables facilitated meetings between the group and more than 20 leaders from the Malaysian private sector which resulted in productive discussions on mutual opportunities in sectors such as health care, fashion, cosmetics, furniture, logistics, contract manufacturing, IT services, and sukuk investments. During its presentation on the latest investment trends and business opportunities, MIDA noted that over the last three years UAE companies have undertaken eight projects worth USD 53.16 million in Malaysia, underscoring the partnership potentials between the two states.

“The hospitality, huge interest and support shown by our Malaysian friends have inspired us to exert extra effort to enhance our business and investment dealings with them. This roundtable was an exceptional platform for exploring partnership opportunities and our role as women leaders in ensuring their fruition. The Council is very eager to work on the ideas, suggestions and plans that came out from our stay in Malaysia,” said Al Gurg.

The UAE Malaysia Power Ladies Roundtable 2011 was a brainchild of H.E. Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, the wife of Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak, who was inspured by her attendance at Abu Dhabi’s Invest Malaysia Forum 2011 last January. Rountable participants talked about the host country’s vital economic parameters such as the unemployment rate, business registration processes, programs for small and medium companies, special incentives for female entrepreneurs, and key investment sectors.

The event was organized by Inside Investor, an international media and consultancy company offering customized services for identifying and developing international investment opportunities for Arab investors.