"Today's gathering allows us -as women -to demonstrate, once more, that our contributions to development issues are inspired not only by the spirit of harmony and inclusiveness that is so predominant a trait of our gender, but also by the will and energy to succeed as equals in the world of the marketplace," Mrs . Mubarak said in her inaugural speech.

She said women business leaders have made impressive stride and the percentage of women-owned business has dramatically increased. "More and more women find access to the marketplace, in spite of the fact that higher standards are often imposed on them to attain and retain leadership roles," she added.

Mrs Mubarak said women business leaders should stand up to the globalization challenge.
"Women are no exception as they have undergone rich and complex struggles for empowerment and development. It is important that women's contribution to the world economy such as entrepreneurs, producers, consumers, wage earners, educators, and managers be recognized and visible," Mrs Mubarak said.

She said that one of the positive features of globalization has been the improvement in the flow of information through the developments in information and communicution technology (ICT).

"However, information is a major asset that is not equally accessible to all. Women entrepreneurs, who are usually smaller, poorer, less educated and more isolated than other market players face an enormous knowledge barrier," Mrs Mubarak said.

She added that education was, however, the only real divide between those entrepreneurs that stand a good chance to succeed and those who do not, whether women or men.

She said complicated bureaucratic procedures for licensing, registration and other transactions discourage the creation of new businesses and at the best waste valuable time and resources.

"This is a major stumbling block to small business where women's enterprises are concentrated," she said.

"One more important impediment that a businesswoman, especially first-time entrepreneurs, includes technical support, training and access to credit, " she added.