Gulf women look for maximum gain out of savings

(FILE)    

In a dedicated session titled “Gulf women’s investment: where it is heading”, the meet will look at ways to help women investors in the region invest their savings for maximum gain, said Abdul Rahim Al Naqi, Secretary-General of the GCC Federation. He added women contributed greatly to investments in the region.

The conference will also focus on the economies of the GCC states and explore how to work with the circumstances brought about by the Common Gulf Market. Al Naqi said the interest generated by the forum among businessmen and women from the GCC states and other parts of the Arab world is a testimony to the organisers’ choosing appropriate topics and speakers.

One of the speakers at the forum will be Ramiz Al Assar of the International Bank, who will speak on the importance of foreign banks in the Gulf. Another panelist, Maysoon Jamal, President of GET group, will discuss the investment of women’s savings. Raja Easa Al Gurg (pictured above), President of Dubai Business Women Council, will review  council’s experience in attracting women’s investments.

Sheikha Hessa Saad Al Abdullah Al Salim Al Sabah, President of the Council for Arab Business Women, will end the session with a presentation on the obstacles facing women’s investments, as well as the nature of current investments. It is estimated capital investment by women in Gulf banks is Dh42m, which is 12 per cent of bank deposits made by women in the Gulf. Further, 20 per cent of joint investment funds are owned by women.

Adnan Al Kassar, President of the General Union of Arab Chambers of Commerce and Industry will discuss the role of the GCC in supporting Arab investments. Abdulrahman Kokban, general manager of the Industrial Commercial Chamber in Yemen, will give a presentation on the nature of investments in Yemen.

Numbers

20%

Of joint investment funds in the Middle East are owned by women.