The stereotype of the Arab woman is changing so quickly, investors better take note if they don't want to be left behind. With wealth of $40 billion, female Gulf investors are forging a new identity which focuses on financial and social independence. Seeking high-level investments to help pave a legitimate path to increasing their portfolios, the majority of these ultra-wealthy women live in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and the UAE, where women alone control assets worth $245 billion. Against this backdrop, the 4th Annual Women in Leadership Forum Middle East and Africa – which unites the world's most influential business leaders from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, China, Africa, Europe and the Americas – will be held on Nov. 21-22 at the Westin Dubai Mena Seyahi, Dubai. The event provides the perfect platform to discuss the development of businesswomen from all backgrounds, industry sectors and locations around the world. Focusing on this year's theme “Womenomics as the region's key driver for growth”, the gathering features an impressive list of local and international speakers and industry leaders from different regions. Organized by French information company naseba, this year's edition focuses on the importance of increasing women's business opportunities. It is providing local and global organizations with the ultimate opportunity to showcase their diversity and inclusion initiatives to an elite target audience of the World's most prominent and successful business leaders. The topics for discussion will reveal successful strategies for providing local talent with global opportunities. In addition, it will address the major challenges expected in the Middle East and Africa region in the coming years, and also identify solutions to maintain sustainable growth. MasterCard is one such organization and a ‘Supporting Partner' of the platform. Speaking about their outstanding contributions to female empowerment, Ngozi Megwa, president, Women's Leadership Network, Middle East and North Africa, MasterCard Worldwide said: “We are proud to associate with the Women In Leadership initiative that focuses on advancing women's contribution to the economy and also creating more opportunities for them in the workforce. We support initiatives that encourage concrete actions toward maximizing women's contributions for societal development and economic growth.” Raghu Malhotra, president, Middle East and North Africa, MasterCard Worldwide, added: “To compete in today's complex, ever-changing global marketplace, a diverse workforce is not merely an asset, it's a necessity. That is why MasterCard Worldwide has put a premium on nurturing an inclusive culture where employees with wide-ranging backgrounds and qualities find themselves highly motivated, engaged, and connected.” “With approximately 1,000 members in 36 locations across MasterCard's five regions, the Women's Leadership Network seeks to advance women's careers and performance through a culture of mentoring and coaching. By enabling the members' professional and personal growth, it provides reputational and financial benefit to MasterCard and our shareholders,” Malhotra added. The topics for discussion during Women In Leadership Middle East and Africa will reveal successful strategies for providing local talent with global opportunities. In addition, it will address the major challenges expected in the Middle East and Africa region in the coming years, and also identify solutions to maintain sustainable growth. – SG
