[Photo: Banker Philomena Gan, 47, is president of Red Dotters, an active Singapore club, and head of wealth management and products at the Commercial Bank of Qatar]

DUBAI (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES): - Singapore career women have ventured independently into the Gulf. Myth-killers, they are changing the perception that it is a man's world in the Middle East.

Often single, these women are entrepreneurs and bankers, lawyers and high-flying professionals. National carriers like Qatar Airways also recruit young executives and air crew.

Career women are a distinct presence at every Singapore dinner reception that President S R Nathan has attended in his fortnight of state visits to Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Among them was Ms Trixee Loh, 37, a senior vice-president of exhibitions and events management at Dubai World Trade Centre.

She said: 'Being an Asian and a woman and quite young, there are challenges. But there is also a lot of buzz for me.'

The reason? 'The dynamics and fusion in Dubai are beautiful. It wants the best. You compete with the world,' she said.

Ironically, the Singapore corporate world may be more of a 'boy's club' than in Dubai, where there are no boundaries.

'It makes you sharper,' said the vivacious divorcee, who had worked for six years in London and also managed the Asian Aerospace show in Singapore.

In Qatar, banker Philomena Gan, 47, also discerns equal challenges and opportunities for women. She is president of Red Dotters, an active Singapore club, and head of wealth management and products at the Commercial Bank of Qatar. Formerly from HSBC Bank, she was head-hunted four years ago by the Qataris for her current job.

Single, career women from everywhere work in Qatar, she noted. And both Singapore men and women can excel here, in part because of the Republic's reputation of being 'pristine and efficient', she said.

Still, men and women have subtly separate roles. Men 'open the door' in business; women drive the second stage. 'Women are excellent in following up...They cement the relationship,' she said.

Such people skills are 'critical' in the Gulf, where business is much anchored in relationships, Ms Noor Quek pointed out.

The managing director of NQ International is with a Singapore Business Federation mission travelling alongside Mr Nathan. Emphasising that the Arab world is not an unfriendly place for women in business, from the Gulf or outside, she added: 'It's a question of killing myths.

'In Qatar, Bahrain, Dubai, women in business are an effective force. They have been doing business with the men.'

She hopes to lead an all-woman business delegation to the Middle East. The former banker is joint co-chair of the Women's Register. This Singapore initiative offers companies access to a talent pool of women to appoint to their boards.

Nearly 16 years ago, Ms Mae Ballout stepped out into the Gulf. The former Singapore Airlines stewardess was chosen to be one of 12 air hostesses on the Sultan of Oman's jets. She started Ayana Spa, Muscat's first spa, four years later in 1998. Married to a Lebanese, the former Ms Lam, 43, has two children.

She loves the 'wholesome' life for families in Oman - and its wealth of opportunities. Still, being a woman in business means having to be adaptable. 'You have to make your point or you get nowhere.'

Young Singaporean women are still being sought for jobs in the region's airlines. Two newcomers to Qatar Airways are Miss Randi Tan, 29, a demand analyst, and Miss Jill Soo, 25, a crew resource analyst. Miss Tan said: 'It was like being in a zoo at first. Cars would honk at us. But they mean no harm.'

There is a happy flipside. 'They are more protective of women here, maybe because there are fewer women in the workforce,' said Miss Soo.

She feels safe, adding: 'People in Singapore are surprised that we work here. They say they take their hats off to us.'

Mr Nathan had made a point to meet Singaporeans at each stop. Most recently, in Dubai, 1,000 Singaporeans gave him a rousing welcome. He is now in the UAE on the final leg of his three-state visit.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.