Emirati-Chinese Women's Forum tackles common concerns

ABU DHABI -- The Arab-Chinese Women's Forum kicked off today with four sessions under the theme, "Women's Economic Empowerment," at the Rosewood Hotel, Abu Dhabi. 

Titled "Emirati-Chinese Women: Sustainable Development," the first session was chaired by Nora Al Ka'abi, member of the Federal National Council and CEO of the Abu Dhabi Media Zone. The UAE Ambassador to China, Omer Ahmad Adi Al Bitar, discussed during the session the development of relations between the UAE and China over the last 30 years. He noted that late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had a shrewd vision when he established the diplomatic ties between the UAE and China in 1984, adding that he was aware that China would be of strategic importance in future, given its huge potential resources.

The UAE ambassador said the trade exchange between the two countries stood at $63 million in 1985 and soared to $54.8 billion at the end of 2014. It is expected to touch $60 billion at the end of 2015. He added that the number of Chinese companies registered in the UAE has so far reached 4,000. China's investments in the UAE exceed $2 billion, while the UAE investments in China exceed $1 billion.

Ambassador Enas Makkawi, Director of Women, Family and Children's Department of the General Secretariat at the League of Arab States, presented a paper during the first session on the Arab-Chinese relations and role of women in boosting the sustainable development. 

Mu Hong, Director General of the Department of International Relations of the All China Women's Federation, briefed the audience on the Chinese Women Empowerment, while Dr. Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, Chairwoman of Emirates Policy Centre, presented a paper on Emirati Women Empowerment.

Nada Al Shaibani from Abu Dhabi Media Corporation moderated an open debate during the second session on the "Leading Women: Opportunities and Challenges." The third session, titled, "Institutional pioneer models in supporting entrepreneurship among women," focussed on the role of UN Women in empowering women economically and the Jordanian experience in this respect. 

The fourth session titled "Pioneer women entrepreneurship experience," was moderated by Dr. Mariam Mohammed Mattar, founder and chairwoman of the UAE Genetic Diseases Association. 

The event was attended by Widad Babiker, wife of the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Director of the East Asia and Pacific at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mariam bint Mohammed Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of Social Affairs, Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for the Federal National Council, Dr. Maytha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State and Chairperson of the Marriage Fund Corporation, Ambassador Enas Makkawi and Chang Hua, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the UAE. -end-