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18:35 GMT
Chairperson of the Arab Council of Businesswomen (ACB) Sheikha Hussa Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah
CAIRO, March 17 (KUNA) -- Chairperson of the Arab Council of Businesswomen (ACB) Sheikha Hussa Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah on Tuesday called on the Arab leaders to pay more attention to the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
"SMEs are the cornerstone of economic development that can bring about a great impact on growth rates," she said in a speech to the forum for pioneers of Arab businesspeople being held under the theme of "towards sustainable and comprehensive industrial development."
Sheikha Hussa cited as example the experiment of the Asian Tigers which facilitated the development of SMEs, thus maintaining exceptionally high growth rates and rapid industrialization in a short time span.
She also recalled her personal experiment as a businesswoman and how she rid herself of the customs of the society and the ruling family after completing her college study in order to become a business leader.
She expressed gratitude to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for his constant support, trust and encouragement to the Kuwaiti businesspeople.
She also thanked the ACB members for the dedication they showed to the council's activities over the last 16 years since the establishment of the council in Cairo in 1999.
On the Egyptian Economic Development Conference, held a few days ago in Sharm El-Sheikh, she said the event delivered an upbeat message about the future of Egypt under the wise leadership of President Abdelfatah Al-Sisi.
"We had the honor of meeting with President Al-Sisi in September 2014 and he listened attentively to the ACB members and honored his promises to us," Sheikha Hussa affirmed.
She promised that the ACB will continue facilitating the participation of Arab businesswomen in Egypt's development and construction.
Sheikha Hussa thanked UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Arab SMEs union and the Arab Though Foundation for their roles in launching the Arab economic activists council and contributions to the development in the Arab world.
She paid homage to her father His Highness Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah who used to inspire her to take up the business career.
Earlier today the UNISO conferred on Sheikha Hussa the title of Economic Goodwill Ambassador, thus making her the first Arab personality with this honor. (pickup previous)
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