GE is highlighting the importance of mentoring to drive women's empowerment at the workplace through its support to the Mena Businesswomen's Network Forum 2012 being held in Dubai.

The objective of the forum, which concludes today and is being attended by more than 250 businesswomen, is to strengthen the position and increase the reach of businesswomen in the Mena region, a key market of GE, where the company has over 80 years of heritage, by expanding their networks, improving their skills and learning new ones.

It is being held under the patronage of UAE Minister for Foreign Trade Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi.

'Workplaces with diverse teams function more effectively,' said GE Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (Menat) president and chief executive Nabil Habayeb.

'When men and women bring their individual strengths to the table, the entire performance of the company is enhanced.

'Empowering women to realise their true potential is the most effective pathway for regional transformation, and in this strengthening the participation of women in private and public sector roles is important.

'Our aim is to create a robust pipeline of women leaders, a goal we are driving through our HR Diversity initiatives and Women's Network,' he said.

'Mentoring is part of our organisational DNA and we have taken it further through the Women's Network, which has a strong operational base in the Menat region,' said GE human resources director Joe Chalouhi, who provided them guidance throughout their career.

'While mentoring is one of the approaches for women's development in GE, we support their participation and career progression through many approaches, including the Women in Leadership programme which entails improved competitive work practices, engaging middle managers, training programmes, executive sponsors and mentoring,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service