DEAD SEA // The World Economic Forum (WEF) has named Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi as the chair of its regional business council for the Middle East and North Africa.
Sheikha Bodour, who chairs Sharjah’s Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), is the first woman to be appointed as chair of the council, which is made up of business leaders from about 40 leading companies from around the region.
It seeks to promote cooperation between public and private sectors to address the region’s most significant challenges.
Sheikha Bodour’s appointment was announced by professor Klaus Schwab, the founder and executive chairman of WEF at its Middle East and North Africa summit, which is taking place at the Dead Sea in Jordan.
Under her leadership, the council will develop a framework for tackling economic integration and diversification, skills development, entrepreneurship and promoting greater female participation in the labour force. Sheikha Bodour took part in a number of panel sessions at the WEF event in Jordan, including one on Stewarding a Policy Framework for Generational Transformation and an event titled Arab World from History to Fiction.
She highlighted the need to improve communication between the council and the Regional Strategy Group, of which she is also a member, and said greater discussion was needed on job creation, training, health care and social development.
Sheikha Bodour said: “The Middle East is on the threshold of a new phase of growth. While a world of opportunities lies ahead, it is more important than ever for us to tread carefully and to place a strong focus on building integrated, inclusive and sustainable economies that are beneficial to all parties.”
Representatives from more than 50 countries took part in the WEF event, including business, government and civil society leaders. The opening address was delivered by Prince Hussein bin Abdullah, Jordan’s 22-year-old crown prince, with speeches from King Felipe of Spain and the presidents of Iraq and Niger.
mfahy@thenational.ae
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