Sharjah: The Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) has set its sights on 2025 as a pivotal year to enhance its impact, aiming to strengthen its role as a comprehensive entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports women entrepreneurs from their initial business ideas to accessing global markets.

According to Emirates News Agency, Maryam Bin Al Shaikh, Director of SBWC, emphasized the Council's strategic shift towards creating sustainable and scalable value for women-led businesses. She noted that the Council's activities align with international benchmarks on women's empowerment in the UAE. This is reflected in the World Bank's 2024 data, which shows a women's workforce participation rate of 54.1 percent, and the UAE achieving a perfect score in the Women, Business and the Law 2024 report.

Throughout the year, SBWC engaged its members through consultation sessions in Sharjah and Kalba, tailoring programs to meet the needs of women entrepreneurs. The Council enhanced its entrepreneurial platforms by participating in the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival, launching the NMU Initiative to support women-led brands, and organizing the Business Readiness Bootcamp, which offered training in legal, financial, and marketing skills.

The Council also facilitated global exposure for its members by supporting their participation in major exhibitions like the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show and Expand North Star. Additionally, SBWC enabled women entrepreneurs to access international supply chains through a trade mission to China. The Council contributed to national discussions on social entrepreneurship and the circular economy through specialized forums.