Women can make world $172 trillion richer: Kristalina Georgieva

Dubai - Georgieva noted that "big chunks of the world don't know that the tide is turning for women in the Middle East".

One of the most engaging sessions at the Global Women's Forum Dubai (GWFD 2020) was of Kristalina Georgieva, managing director and chairwoman of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), talking to John Defterios of CNN on Sunday.
Georgieva noted that "big chunks of the world don't know that the tide is turning for women in the Middle East". "We owe the UAE a debt of gratitude for its achievements in women's empowerment," she said.
Speaking about the impact of greater gender equality, she added: "If tomorrow we woke up in a world with 100 per cent gender equality, the wealth of the world would be, according to the most recent data, $172 trillion bigger. We would be a much richer world. If we are to bring the Middle East on par with the more advanced economies, over the next years, there would be $1 trillion more in output."
Georgieva also met with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, on the sidelines of the event.
The two leaders discussed the UAE's development model, which is based on building partnerships with regional and global companies.
She appreciated the UAE's economic resilience, reflected in the growth of domestic credit, increase of tourists and high foreign trade flows at a time when the global market is facing serious challenges.

• Dubai