The Future Arabian Businesswoman

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EMPOWERED: Muna AbuSulayman, pictured, is one of the most influential Arabian women in the world, working in philanthropy, the media, international relations and now business.

ArabianBusiness.com spoke exclusively to two influential Arabian women, Muna AbuSulayman and Dr. Basmah Omair, about what the Arabian Businesswoman of the future will be like.

Muna AbuSulayman is one of the most influential Arabian women in the world, working in philanthropy, the media, international relations and now business.

In the philanthropic sphere, she currently works as the executive director of the Kingdom Foundation, a Saudi-based charitable institutions which manages HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal's personal philanthropic initiatives that are in excess of $100 million.

In media, AbuSulayman is the co-host of MBC TV's Kalam Nawaem, one of the most popular television programmes in the Arab world, dealing with social issues surrounding the modern Arab family.

In the realm of international relation, AbuSulayman was the first Saudi woman to become a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program and has also been recognised as a Young Leader by the World Economic Forum.

The Arabian polymath has now turned her focus to business. After two years of development, AbuSulayman will be launching her fashion line in September of this year, acting as both the CEO and designer of the clothing line. ArabianBusiness.com spoke to her exclusively about her vision of The Future Arabian Businesswoman.

"The Future Arabian Businesswoman is already here," said AbuSulayman. "She might be the exception that rises out of the masses at this moment in time, but we see have already seen examples of talented businesswomen who were able to expand and grow their business from small-to-medium size enterprises (SMEs) to large international businesses."

"What would be great, and would validate the existence of these women, is if important global business magazines showcase more successful female CEOs of big companies and how their influence is beyond their little corner of the world."

"So we would learn about them, their style of management, work ethics and their competitiveness, or even if their businesses can become case studies at Ivy League business schools."

"For me, as an SME owner, I do hope that The Future Arabian Businesswoman will lead the march to new trends that are beneficial to society, from issues like the life/work balance, to coming up with "out of the box" solutions and the issue of female employability or even becoming a green business that cares about the environment and Earth as much as it does about the bottom line."

As part of the main interview in our special report on Arabian Businesswomen, ArabianBusiness.com also exclusively spoke to Dr. Basmah Omair , chief executive of the Khadijah bint Khuwailid Centre at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry about her vision of The Future Arabian Businesswoman and how one day women in the region may have businesses in futuristic sectors such as biotechnology and space aviation.

"I think if she raises awareness, gets high-self esteem and believes in herself, she can do wonders - given she has the opportunity," said Dr. Omair.

"We feel our job is to provide that opportunity and choice for her. This is what we work on day and night. I don't see why she should not embark on such sectors [as biotechnology]. She just doesn't have the opportunity and doesn't have enough awareness or information about the sector."

"Don't forget that information in the Gulf is not easily provided, and information and knowledge is power. So when you lack information, you lack part of the decision-making process to know which sector is in need of investment and which sector is promising. All those indicators that are needed to make a good business decision are not available."

"So, it's mostly by word-of-mouth or family inheritance or family businesses, that people inherit something - not that they willingly choose and go into because they did the right research and it showed that this is the new sector."

"Once that information is provided, once the woman is aware to make the process of decision-making, I do not see why she could not achieve. In other Gulf countries [apart from Saudi Arabia], laws and regulations are much more lenient, open and equal between women and men as regards investments - and we're getting there."

The special report Arabian Businesswomen 2008 - Celebrating Excellence aims to celebrate the achievements of women in commerce and trade in the region and globally. Click here to view more.

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