The Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF), in partnership with the Capital Club, has launched its Women in Business Special Interest Group (SIG).

The launch event was held at the Capital Club, attended by around 60 forum members and their guests and was organised in conjunction with the International Women’s Day 2017.  

The Women in Business (WIB) SIG was established to empower women in business to support career capacity, share knowledge of local and global markets, encourage entrepreneurialism and foster bilateral relations. The group aims to supplement the BBBF’s various functions and business relations by enhancing knowledge-share, encouraging networking and supporting business women. The WIB SIG welcomes active participation and input from the members; hence the focus of the group will be further defined over time.

The inaugural meeting included a panel discussion on the topic of ‘Industry Insight from Female Leaders’, moderated by Christian Syme, head of department for International Trade at the British Embassy, and featured panel members Solveig Nicklos, director of BIBF; Anna-Marie Dowling, complex general manager of The Westin and Le Méridien Bahrain City Centre Hotels; and Wafa AlObaidat, CEO and creative director of Obai and Hill.

The participants discussed ways to leverage global best practice in the Mena region, the impact of regional culture in global markets, and how to strengthen leadership potential.  WIB SIG heads Georgina Munnik, Emilia Mateva and Dr Clare Beckett-McInroy facilitated the event.

The BBBF is a leading network of businessmen and women in Bahrain. The forum aims to promote trade and investment between Bahrain and Britain by offering opportunities for networking and information sharing between the two business communities. The forum now has a total of nine Special Interest Groups (SIGs), covering oil, gas & energy; hospitality; construction; banking & financial services; ICT and legal sectors; as well as organisational effectiveness and young professionals. The SIGs offer members and guests a valuable medium for exchanging industry specific ideas and discussing issues relevant to a particular sector in a more informal setting.  - TradeArabia News Service