The Bahrain Businesswomen's Society, which aims to promote economic relationship between Bahraini businesswomen and develop women's role in commercial and social activities, will mark its 12th anniversary today (May 23).

It was set up back on May 23, 2000, by 16 leading Bahraini businesswomen in response to an idea by Shaikha Lulwa bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, who was president of the Association for the Mother and Child Welfare at the time.

It also seeks to encourage the participation of businesswomen in leadership of chambers of commerce, the Arab League banks and investment companies and support their participation in conferences and work to establish co-operation and economic partnerships among the GCC, the Arab countries and the rest of the world.

"One of the society's goals is the development of Women Gateway Your Gate towards Excellence project," said current society chair Ahlam Janahi.

"Women Gateway is a portal that was launched in 2002 as a joint project between Bahrain Businesswomen's Association and Al Nadeem Company for Information Technology.

"The vision of Women Gateway is to build an e-community that spreads information about Arab women and their contributions in developing our societies as well as provides them with information to help expand their contributions through capabilities of the Internet," she added.

It has also played a key role in the development of the Mena Businesswomen's Network, a partnership of local businesswomen's organisations across the region.

The businesswomen's organisations in each of these countries act as hubs in the broader regional network.

"After 12 years of superior achievements, hard working and unlimited ambitions, Bahrain Businesswomen's Society, represented by its new board members and members, will continue to achieve the society's goals and work together as a constructively strong team to achieve all the member's potential progress and development and access the economic, social, voluntary and cultural fields," Janahi said.

"I would like to thank our founding members and all the board members since the founding of Bahrain Businesswomen's Society until now," she added. – TradeArabia News Service