Afnan Al Zayani a president of a team as part of MENA BWN

(Women Gateway)

A Bahraini Business woman, Afnan Al Zayani has been elected as the president of a team of officers to transfer the MENA Businesswomen’s Network (MENA BWN) to independent non-profit, non-governmental
organization.
The new leadership was announced at the June 16-18 semi-annual MENA BWN Leadership Meeting in Doha, Qatar. Besides Al Zayani who is a member of the Bahrain Businesswomen Society (BBS) and president of Al
Zayani Commercial Services, leading Arab female businesswomen also were elected for the team.

Throughout its duty the team will be assisted by the board of directors of MENA BWN. The network that was formed in 2006 by a group of businesswomen to create formal linkages across the MENA region has
opted for the team as a major step forward on its way to formalizing these relationships.

For almost three years, with support from the US-Middle East Partnership Initiative, members of the Network have conducted programs reaching over 10,000 businesspeople and professionals, helping them to develop business skills, build and strengthen their own networks, participate in forums with high profile U.S. and regional experts and ”give back” to their communities through mentoring and advocacy programs.

“It is a pleasure to work with these accomplished women and an honor to serve them as we work toward our shared goals of promoting women’s entrepreneurship and increasing the number and value of women’s
businesses,” said Afnan Al Zayani, incoming president. “At the same time, we are focused on ensuring that our work has greater benefit to our communities and neighbours by making them better places to live and work in,” she added.

Its inception, the intent has been that the MENA BWN would become an autonomous and self-sustaining NGO and the election of officers and subsequent planning and development continues to move it in that
direction.
 
Vital Voices trains and empowers women leaders around the world and the MENA BWN is a major initiative in its economic advancement efforts. “This is a remarkable group of women who are successful in their own businesses, active in their communities and who clearly see that the opportunity for greater collaboration locally, regionally and globally will bring great benefit to all. They believe deeply in the power of this Network,” said Mary MacPherson, director of the MENA BWN for Vital Voices. “What seems very unique is the extent of
collaboration and focus on really doing business across this vast and diverse geography. It is inspiring and you can literally feel the energy driving them forward,” she commented.