One of the presentations during the WISTA gathering
The executive committee of WISTA (Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association) has for the first time had its Spring board meeting in the Middle East, hosted by WISTA United Arab Emirates. WISTA UAE has already more than 35 members and is confident that the numbers will increase considerably.
WISTA is a flourishing organisation for female executives, with a focus on improving levels of competency in the shipping industry.
The board meeting was surrounded by a series of events, such as an impressive meeting with DP World, where the WISTA ladies were received with a welcome presentation by DP World’s senior vice- president of corporate communications, Sarah Lockie, and subsequently the audience was treated to an address by Ayesha Sultan, director at DP World. Mrs Sultan, one of the most prominent personalities in the shipping industry, offered an insight into DP World’s present capacity and future developments. Afterwards the DP World team took all the WISTA delegates for a company bus trip to show them the terminals.
WISTA leaders group photo.
A conference attended by WISTA UAE members and by WISTA presidents of other countries, including India, Italy and Russia gave the WISTA members a chance to exchange ideas and discuss goals for contributing to the advance of the organisation and of their businesses. Another highlight was the 8th UAE Shipping Industry Round table organised and sponsored by Fichte & Co, Tufton Oceanic and the Dubai Council for Marine and Maritime Industries. This exclusive networking event with the title WISTA meets the UAE Shipping Industry took place at the Dubai Marina Yacht Club and was a fantastic opportunity for firms in the UAE to connect with leading female executives in the maritime industry.
WISTA executive committee members and presidents, and WISTA UAE leaders
Jasamin Fichte, president of WISTA UAE, said that during the three days, three facts became obvious to every participant:
1. The global number of WISTA members has already risen to around 2, 000 and International President Karin Orsel is determined to see the total doubled, by 2020.
2. WISTA UAE under the presidency of Jasamin Fichte is working on establishing further brands in the Middle East and thus to raise awareness of the situation of women in the shipping industry in the region. And WISTA India under the presidency of Sanjam Sahi Gupta has not only already established three chapters in India but is collaborating with ladies in Indonesia and Sri Lanka to establish WISTA in that part of Asia.
3. WISTA offers its members a great opportunity to network and to gain knowledge by constant exchange.
WISTA delegates in conference
WISTA UAE was established in 2010, as the first WISTA organisation in the Middle East. The UAE chapter’s mission is to raise awareness of the Middle East shipping industry among professional women inside the country and abroad, to encourage more women to join the maritime and trading sector, and to build a network platform for women within the mainly male-dominated industry.
WISTA UAE is meeting on a bi-monthly basis and organises seminars and training programmes to educate young women and highlight the many opportunities that exist.
To find out more, please contact Mrs Fichte, president of WISTA UAE, on Jasamin.fichte@fichtelegal.com
