Doha, 13 Nov 2025

The 7th Gulf Businesswomen Forum successfully concluded on November 13th, charting a decisive path for empowering women through digitalisation and innovation. Held in Doha under the theme “Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Investment,” the two-day event, organized by the Federation of GCC Chambers (FGCCC) in cooperation with Qatar Chamber, culminated in a robust set of recommendations to strengthen the role of businesswomen in the regional economy.

The forum’s agenda featured in-depth panel discussions exploring critical themes. A session on "Gulf Businesswomen and Sustainable Investment" examined their growing role in the knowledge economy and the challenges and opportunities presented by non-traditional investments. Another panel, "Women Entrepreneurs in the Gulf: From Tradition to Innovation," delved into the crucial role of education and training in equipping women for modern ventures, while also mapping out the future of women's entrepreneurship in alignment with national development visions like Qatar National Vision 2030. A third session focused on the "Role of Arbitration in Enhancing the Gulf Women's Business Environment," underscoring the importance of legal frameworks and fair contracts in building investor confidence and securing commercial ventures.

Adding a powerful personal dimension to the discussions, the event showcased inspiring success stories from Gulf entrepreneurs. Attendees heard from Qatari jeweler Jawaher Al-Mannai, Bahraini luxury designer Amal Sand of Kayan Jewelry, and pioneering Saudi makeup artist Shuaa Duhailan. Their journeys from concept to recognition exemplified the innovation and resilience driving the new generation of Gulf businesswomen.

In her closing remarks, Noura Al Salem, Assistant Secretary-General of the FGCCC, presented the forum’s key outcomes. She praised the constructive dialogue and confirmed the gathering had produced actionable strategies to enhance the position of Gulf women, enabling them to contribute effectively to national development goals across the GCC.

The recommendations form a comprehensive empowerment framework. Central to this is the activation of the newly launched Gulf Businesswomen Platform, which will serve as a unified digital database to foster networking and exchange investment opportunities. The forum strongly advocated for enhanced support for women-led SMEs through targeted financing and training initiatives. A significant focus was placed on driving digital transformation by integrating modern technologies into women-led projects to boost their efficiency and competitiveness. Furthermore, the recommendations explicitly call for expanding women's participation in high-growth, non-traditional sectors such as technology, renewable energy, fintech, and the creative industries, supported by specialized qualification programs.

The Federation of GCC Chambers reaffirmed its commitment to following up on these recommendations with relevant authorities, ensuring the forum's dialogue translates into tangible initiatives that support the Gulf women’s entrepreneurship ecosystem and its vital contribution to sustainable economic development.