SBWC And AUS Collaborate To Boost Female Entrepreneurship In The UAE

The Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC), in partnership with the American University of Sharjah (AUS), has initiated a groundbreaking series of round-table discussions aimed at bolstering the entrepreneurial landscape in the United Arab Emirates, with a particular emphasis on supporting female entrepreneurs. This collaborative effort seeks to leverage educational insights to empower women in business, fostering an environment of knowledge sharing and solution-oriented dialogue among a diverse group of stakeholders.

Over the next one to two years, this series will explore various facets of entrepreneurship and start-up challenges, bringing together a formidable assembly of industry leaders, academic experts, government officials, and other key participants. The goal is to dissect and address critical issues impacting the growth and sustainability of the entrepreneurial ecosystem within the region.

Mariam bin Al Shaikh, Director of SBWC, highlighted the significance of this initiative, "The round table series represents another step forward in supporting and advancing business women within UAE’s sectors of enterprise. By facilitating discussions, gathering insights, and collaborating with key stakeholders, we aim to identify challenges and implement solutions that will empower both established and emerging entrepreneurs, particularly women."

The collaboration underscores a shared commitment between SBWC and AUS to drive positive change through education and knowledge exchange. "The collaboration between the SBWC and AUS reiterates our passion to drive positive change and support entrepreneurship through the power of knowledge exchange. We firmly believe that education is the cornerstone of empowering the female business community," Al Shaikh added.

The inaugural session of this series is scheduled for 9th May 2024 and will focus on "The Female Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in the UAE." This session aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current landscape for female business owners across Sharjah and other emirates, identifying key areas for development and potential enhancement. The topic was selected following a collaborative survey conducted by SBWC and AUS aimed at evaluating the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

An esteemed panel comprising experts from government sectors, business communities, academia, and investment fields will offer their insights during this session. Their diverse backgrounds promise a rich dialogue on the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the UAE, ensuring that participants gain a well-rounded perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing female entrepreneurs in the region.

This initiative not only aims to identify and address immediate challenges but also seeks to lay a foundation for sustained growth and support for female entrepreneurs in the UAE. Through these discussions, SBWC and AUS are setting a precedent for collaborative efforts that can significantly impact the nation's business ecosystem.

With inputs from WAM