Sharjah Business Women Council discusses collaboration with Emirates Business Women Council

SHARJAH 13th October 2015 (WAM) -- A joint meeting between Sharjah Business Women Council SBWC and the Emirates Business Women Council EBWC was held on Monday to discuss ways of boosting strategic cooperation and coordinating joint action between the two councils. During the meeting held at SBWC's headquarters in Sharjah Ameera binKaram Chair of the Board of SBWC and Mariam Mohammed Al Rumaithi EBWC Chair outlined some of their programmes and strategic partnerships and discussed possible points of collaboration.

Ameera binKaram said "Cooperation between business women councils in the UAE helps empower women economically and professionally and overcome challenges that stand in women's way to fulfill their ambitions and aspirations. Inter-cooperation also contributes to boosting women's effective participation in economic and social life and their contribution to the rapid development of the UAE."

BinKaram said that cooperation and consultation with EBWC was important in order to explore potential programmes that aim to empower Emirati women professionally and economically. BinKaram outlined a number of projects and initiatives being implemented by the SBWC and called for the establishment of a national registry for businesswomen in the UAE which could be shared by all business women councils in the country. "In this way we can share information and develop programmes that will empower and support women's advancement professionally and economically" she said.

Speaking about SBWC's projects BinKaram highlighted the progress of major initiatives including the Souq Anwan in Dibba Al Hisn which provides opportunities to young entrepreneurs to establish a footing in the business world. She said through this project the SBWC has sought to make the most of young talent by honing and developing their skills to help them succeed in their own businesses.

The meeting also touched on the strategic partnerships forged by SBWC with a number of bodies and organisations including the Italian Academy that resulted in a partnership to develop traditional Emirati crafts. The Talli technique is one such craft which is created by Emirati women involved in the Bidwa project.

"This agreement has enabled Emirati craftswomen to compete globally" said BinKarem. "The Bidwa project emanated from Irthi initiative which aims to empower Emirati women working in traditional crafts and help them in investing their talents in launching enterprises and create high quality products that can compete in regional and global markets. Whilst the Irthi initiative serves as a platform to bring together companies and individuals who employ ethical practices in the Middle East North Africa and South Asia to develop their products to meet international standards.

Mariam Mohammed Al Rumaithi highlighted the five-year strategic plan adopted by the Emirates Business Women Council from 2015 to 2019 and said "This five-year plan was developed in line with the directives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Honorary President of the Emirates Business Women Council. The plan aims to motivate and inspire women to enter into entrepreneurship and empower them in our diversified and sustainable economy. It also aims to develop the abilities of women entrepreneurs and to build their knowledge. The plan ensures the continued development of EBWC's services as per the latest competitive demands in the job market."