QBWA Takes Qatar’s Women Investors to the Global Stage

The Qatari Businesswomen Association (QBWA) has strengthened its international partnerships and efforts to promote women’s participation in investment and entrepreneurship through its involvement in the ninth UNCTAD World Investment Forum 2026, held in Doha from October 25 to 27.

As a forum partner, QBWA contributed to discussions on women’s economic participation, investment and entrepreneurship, while creating connections between international delegates and Qatar’s business community.

Held under the theme ‘Investing in the Future’, the forum provided QBWA with a platform to highlight the importance of increasing women’s involvement in investment decisions, business development and economic growth.

A key highlight of the association’s participation was the co-organisation of a session titled ‘Women Who Invest: Mobilizing Female Capital for the Future’, in collaboration with UNCTAD. The session brought together women investors, entrepreneurs and business leaders to explore ways of encouraging more women to become active investors and capital allocators.

Moderated by Manu G Parmar, Founder and CEO of Business Leaders Magazine, the session featured Fatma Ali Al-Khater, Founder of Torba Market and Founder and Board Member of the Qatar Venture Capital Association; Yulia Stark, Founder and President of EWA Group; Mariela Balbo, Co-Founder and CFO of Crofabiotech; Dalia Al-Khalaf, Founder and Managing Partner of Rawdat Capital; and Rama Chakaki, President of QSTP.

The speakers shared their experiences in entrepreneurship, venture capital, financial education, innovation and international investment. Discussions focused on improving women’s investment knowledge, expanding access to investment opportunities, mobilising capital for innovation and building cross-border business networks.

An important outcome of the partnership was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between QBWA and UNCTAD. The agreement establishes a framework for continued cooperation through joint initiatives in women’s entrepreneurship, investment, capacity building and international business engagement.

QBWA also hosted an exclusive networking dinner for international delegates, its members and representatives of Qatar’s business community. The gathering provided opportunities to exchange experiences, establish professional relationships and explore potential partnerships across markets.

The association further reaffirmed its support for women entrepreneurs as an in-kind sponsor of the UNCTAD Women in Business Awards. QBWA Vice Chairwoman Aisha Hussein Alfardan pledged complimentary membership in the association’s business community for the award winners, along with introductions to relevant business leaders, potential partners and organisations that could support their growth.

QBWA Board Member Aysha Khalifa Al Romaihi also served on the awards panel, contributing to the recognition of women entrepreneurs and their achievements.

Commenting on the association’s participation, QBWA Vice Chairwoman Aisha Hussein Alfardan said hosting the World Investment Forum in Qatar provided an opportunity to bring people together, exchange ideas and establish meaningful connections.

She said empowering women went beyond helping them establish or expand businesses, adding that women also needed the confidence, knowledge and opportunities to become investors, leaders and decision-makers.

Alfardan said QBWA was proud of its partnership with UNCTAD and the opportunities it created to connect Qatari women with the international business community.

She added that the real value of collaboration lay in building lasting relationships, opening doors and creating opportunities that continued beyond individual events.

QBWA plans to expand its international network and explore initiatives that improve women’s access to investment knowledge, capital and business opportunities.