Meet Khedidja Belhadi, founder and president of Algerian Women Managers & Entrepreneurs

What is the purpose of the AME?

Khedidja Belhadi - This association, founded in 2005, aims to help Algerian women to become entrepreneurs. Over the last ten years, there has been a big change in attitudes, and more and more young women are setting up their own businesses, whereas ten years ago they were non-existent on this scene. There are now more than 4 %. It's certainly not a lot, but it's good progress. Fathers, husbands and brothers are very proud of this.

What has been your career path as a woman entrepreneur?

K. B. - I was lucky enough to have a father who encouraged me to study and, in the 1980s, to set up my own interior design business. I gradually moved into construction, and today I'm the official and exclusive distributor for Mondo, a company specialising in sports flooring. It's a man's world, and at the time I was one of those 'crazy' women who dared to take the plunge. But I was always respected.

How do you see the future for women entrepreneurs?

K. B. - Things are changing. Last year, out of the sixteen grandes écoles and universities in Algiers, all the class valedictorians were women! What's more, we're supporting and launching 'project carriers' - female students who are thinking about their future businesses.