Manama, Dec. 28 (BNA): The strong catalyst for women’s entrepreneurship in economic development is Ms. Safaa Sharif Abdul Khaleq, CEO of Export Bahrain, and Ms. Shaikha Al-Fadhel, Director of Small and Medium Enterprises Development at the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Proudly, the only two women from the GCC region to be selected for the first time for the prestigious CIPE-Stanford University Leadership for Development Academy program.
Being the first woman to represent the Kingdom of Bahrain and the GCC countries in the program is a prestigious honor and a true testament to the Kingdom’s progress in building a more inclusive society.
Ms. Abdel-Khalek and Ms. El-Fadil are joined by 11 other women from the Middle East and North Africa region in the CIPE-Stanford University Leadership for Development Academy Program. The primary focus of the training was “The Role of Public Policy in Private Sector Development,” consisting of expert lectures, case analysis, group projects, and critical analysis of real-world case studies – all with an emphasis on interaction and learning among program participants. Participants were also asked to play the role of real-life policy makers who are faced with difficult decisions with multiple constraints.
On this occasion, Ms. Safaa Sharif Abdulkhaleq, CEO of Export Bahrain, said: “It is a great honor to be selected for this program. I had the opportunity to witness and learn in depth how public policy helps play an essential role in facing societal challenges, including promoting development Economic and private sector development, how to develop and implement policies and their effectiveness in facing critical and complex challenges.The program provided basic insights to help acquire the skills needed to use the public to meet development challenges.It also addressed ways in which public policy can help direct the private sector to become a constructive force for development economic.”
Ms. Shaikha Al-Fadhel, Director of Small and Medium Enterprises Development at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce said: “The Kingdom of Bahrain is at the forefront of empowering women and encouraging them to reach new heights in a professional environment. They are central to public policy, and finding and implementing solutions for development and other public problems is not only a matter for the government, Rather, it includes the public sector, the private business sector, and civil society as a whole. The program sheds light and interest on how different sectors can work together to effect positive change and how civil society leaders can help to engage effectively in the policy process.”
ZHB / WHQ