.jpg)
The Egyptian Exchange (EGX), in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, the United Nations (UN), the Global Compact Network in Egypt, the National Council for Women and the Egyptian Institute of Directors held a conference in the occasion of the International Women's Day on order to raise awareness about enhancing women's participation in the economy.
The Minister of Investment and International Cooperation, Dr. Sahar Nasr rang the bell today, Thursday celebrating the International Women's Day, in the presence of Mr. Mohamed Farid, EGX Chairman, Mr. Walid Lebady, IFC Regional Manager for Egypt, Libya and Yemen, Mr. Mohsen Adel, EGX vice Chairman, Business leaders, investors and civil society members.
Mohamed Farid, EGX Chairman, stated that EGX is highly supporting the gender equality issue expresseing his full commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at empowering women and enhancing their role in various political, economic and social fields
Mr. farid added that all international institutions assert that women empowerment pushes the vehicle of the economic growth and improves society. In this respect, he added that EGX signed in July 2017, a memorandum of understanding with the Business School of the American University to promote for the participation of women on EGX Listed Companies’ Boards.
He asserts that this cooperation will create a proper database of qualified women ready to join corporate boards in line with developing the role of women on the listed companies’ boards. Farid finally highlighted that about 47% of EGX listed companies has at least one lady their Board of Directors.
The Minister of Investment, Dr. Sahar Nasr said that women are an important pillar in the economic and social development, stressing that the investment law stipulates gender equality, explaining the ministry's support for women entrepreneurs and women's projects, which allocated about 50% of grants to women.
The Minister pointed out that women in Egypt have achieved great progress. President Abd El-Fattah Al-Sisi allocated Year 2017 for women. The current government has about 6 ministers and the parliament has witnessed the largest representation of women in its history.
The Minister congratulated the Egyptian women on the celebration of International Women's Day, saying: "Happy day for every Egyptian mother."
The Conference honored the Minister for her efforts in supporting and empowering women in Egypt.
"Gender diversity is not only the right decision, it is also the smartest decision, and we welcome and encourage the common voice that stock exchanges play by calling for equal gender representation on corporate boards and senior management as a whole," said Waleed Labadi,
