Bahrain to host high level event expected to attract over 500 global women business leaders

Manama - January 28, 2015 The Bahrain Business & Professional Women International Federation (BPWIF Bahrain) announced that it is set to host the 63rd World Congress of Femmes Chefs d'Entreprises Mondiales(FCEM), one of the world's leading business associations established in 1945 with the aim of uniting women business owners from the world over.

The congress, taking place under the theme "Our Bridges to the World", is being held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women (SCW). It will take place between the 23rd  and 26th of March 2015 at the Gulf Hotel in Manama, Bahrain.

Joining BPW Bahrain, which is chaired by Shaikha Hind bint Salman Al Khalifa, in the organization of the event is the Council of Arab Business Women (CABW) which is headed by Her Highness Shaikha Hissah bint Saad AbdualAllah Salem Al -Sabah, the FCEM Ambassadress for the Arab World. Support is also being extended by the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) and Tamkeen as strategic partners.

Ms. Laura Frati Gucci, President of FCEM, said, "We are delighted to announce the venue and program for the 63rd World Congress of FCEM, a global business women's event set to take place in Bahrain. The Kingdom was chosen due to its strategic position in the heart of the Gulf and broader MENA region, where significant growth and opportunity exists -- economically and socially and especially in the further development of women business leaders. By selecting an Arab country this year, FCEM has highlighted the growing importance and contributions being made by women business leaders in the MENA region and we hope this congress will further showcase their activities and potential and serve to link women from the Middle East to their global counterparts."

HH Shaikha Hissah bint Saad AbdualAllah Salem Al-Sabah, President of CABW, added," This congress is another landmark event for our region and will serve as a platform for further bolstering the growing economic power of women both here in the GCC and MENA markets but also globally. The event will serve as bridge for connecting women from our region to the world and fostering the development of ties and interaction, which can lead to the opening of new markets and enhanced trade and economic cooperation through greater engagement and understanding "

Also commenting, Shaikha Hind bint Salman Al Khalifa, said: "We are extremely proud that Bahrain was selected by FCEM as the host nation for this long standing annual event. FCEM is a pioneer in promoting women in business and includes 5 million members from over 120 different countries and the five continents. Bahrain is the first country in the Gulf and the second Arab country after Morocco to be hosting this prestigious and international business women's congress.. We are living in a rapidly changing world and we are faced with many challenges. It's time to change and women are great partners in development and change. "

It was also announced that the congress will hold a session titled "Our Economy on the Global Map" which will have as speakers including the Minister of Transportation and Communications of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mr. Kamal Ahmed, Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Development and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, and Ms. Maha Al Ghunaim, Chairman of the Kuwait-based Global Investment House. Moderating the session will be Dr. Massouma al-Mubarak, Professor of Economics and Politics at Kuwait University who is also a former, Member of the Kuwaiti National Assembly.   Other international speakers will be announced soon.

The congress aims to attract a large international gather over more than 500 participants. The Council of Arab Business Women is also committed to attracting the participation of businesswomen from across the Arab countries.

FCEM is the pioneer association uniting women business owners from all over the world. Founded in France in 1945 at the end of World War II by Yvonne Foinant, and months before the United Nations, the Association quickly spread into other European countries and the 5 continents. FCEM brings together in solidarity and friendship; like-minded women who share a common interest that of entrepreneurship.

The Bahrain Business & Professional Women International Federation was established in December 201,.These types of clubs are established worldwide in more than 95 countries, and it's the first of its kind in the Gulf. In 2013, the BPW Bahrain headed by Shaikha Hind Bint Salman Al Khalifa, was legally joined to the Business & Professional Women International Federation, to allow Bahraini women to engage in global activities.

Council of Arab Businesswomen is an economic, non governmental, non profit  association operating under the auspices of the  Arab League, with a membership of associations, bodies, and companies chaired by businesswomen in twenty two Arab countries.

For further information, please visit: http://bpwbahrain.com/fcem/index.php

FinMark Communication, GCC            
Zahraa Taher                                      
Ztaher@finmarkcoms.com                
+973 17 749 759
+973 39630997

FinMark Communications UK             
Laila Danesh                                       
Ldanesh@finmarkcoms.com             
+44 770 333 0024

© Press Release 2015