Sharjah24: The Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC), a NAMA Women Advancement affiliate, and Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), have reinforced their commitment to the shared vision of transforming Sharjah into a global hub of female talent and entrepreneurship with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that further consolidates the goals of fostering and empowering women business owners in the UAE.

The MoU builds on the joint vision of the two entities in attracting top tier businesses to Sharjah and strengthening the status of the emirate as a fertile ground for businesses to thrive and scale. 

As strategic partners, SBWC and Sheraa aim to boost the ecosystem by jointly executing high-impact programmes and initiatives to support women-led startups through greater access to business-building resources. Together, both entities will offer an inclusive community that female founders can tap into through support programmes, competitions and networking events.

Her Excellency Sheikha Hind bint Majid Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBWC, and Najla Al Midfa, CEO of Sheraa, signed the MoU, in commemoration of International Women’s Day, at the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP).

In line with SBWC’s vision of driving full integration of women in the local economy, the MoU aims to help unlock the female entrepreneurial potential that exists within the UAE with tailored support from Sheraa.  

The MoU reflects SBWC’s holistic sustainable approach in supporting businesswomen at different stages of their careers and builds upon Sheraa’s mission to cultivate a world-class entrepreneurship ecosystem in Sharjah and the UAE. Under the terms of the MoU, women business owners at SBWC and Sheraa will have access to a range of tailor-made services to develop globally competitive, sustainable companies.  By collaborating on mutually relevant events, programmes and competitions and facilitating speaking opportunities for both partners, amongst others, the MoU will further strengthen efforts to provide women a strong platform to nurture and grow their entrepreneurial skills. 

Her Excellency Sheikha Hind Bint Majid Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBWC, said: “In line with the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of the Ruler of Sharjah and Founder and patron of SBWC, the MoU underpins our role in empowering women through business and entrepreneurship. By tapping into the capabilities and expertise of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center, the MoU will pave the way for female entrepreneurs to aspire to new heights of development and positively impact the business landscape of Sharjah and the UAE. The MoU further builds on our endeavour to broaden our strategic network and partnership with organisations who share the same mission and objectives.”

Najla Al Midfa, CEO of Sheraa, said: “We believe that female entrepreneurship is a key driver of our nation's prosperity and competitiveness. Building an ecosystem that is connected, supportive and inclusive serves as a catalyst for more women entrepreneurs to scale their ambitions in Sharjah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our partnership with SBWC will enable us to collectively unlock the potential of women entrepreneurs, empowering them to use technology to spur innovation, create more jobs of the future, and ultimately boost economic growth in the UAE and the wider region.