Muscat: The Qatari Businesswomen Association (QBWA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, represented by its Businesswomen Committee, during a symposium on leadership and management development held in Muscat. The event, under the patronage of HH Sayyid Loay bin Ghalib Al Said, aimed to enhance the capacities of women professionals and empower them to lead the future with confidence and competence.
According to Qatar News Agency, the MoU was signed by Vice Chairwoman of QBWA, Aisha Hussein Alfardan, and Chairwoman of the Businesswomen Committee at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Areej bint Mohsin Al Zaabiya. The agreement aims to enhance economic, commercial, and investment cooperation between Qatar and Oman and to facilitate investment processes in both directions.
In a statement issued Monday, the Association explained that the MoU reaffirms both parties’ commitment to exchanging expertise, supporting women’s empowerment efforts, and highligh
ting the pivotal role women play in driving economic growth and entrepreneurship.
Commenting on the occasion, Alfardan stated that the Qatari Businesswomen Association firmly believes that strategic regional partnerships, such as this agreement with the Businesswomen Committee in the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, lay the foundation for enhancing trade and investment between the two countries. She noted that women’s empowerment is not achieved through awareness alone, but through building sustainable ecosystems that translate into tangible opportunities on the ground.
From her side, Al Zaabiya remarked that signing this MoU with the Qatari Businesswomen Association represents a significant step toward unifying Gulf efforts to support women entrepreneurs and enhance knowledge and trade exchange between Omani and Qatari women. She stressed that joint cooperation is key to fostering a culture of innovation, competitiveness, and meaningful participation of women in economic development.
As part of the
symposium, QBWA’s Vice Chairwoman delivered a keynote presentation titled personal empowerment, internal transformation, and self-leadership. In her remarks, she emphasized that true strength begins from within, and that self-leadership and internal transformation are essential foundations for any form of sustainable development, be it at the individual, societal, or national level.
Alfardan shared her personal and professional journey, which led her to firmly believe that authentic empowerment starts with self-belief. She noted that the moment a woman realizes her potential is the moment she becomes a catalyst for change and progress. She also underscored that empowering women to make decisions and access equal opportunities in the workplace enhances their capacity to lead transformative change.
Vice Chairwoman Alfardan also participated in a high-level panel discussion titled inspiring leadership in a rapidly changing world: between empowerment and crisis management. The session explored how inspirational
leadership shapes workplace environments, how leadership principles translate under pressure, and how institutional leaders can empower teams and foster a culture of innovation.