Sharjah Economic Development Department “SEDD” released the third edition of “Emirati Women Entrepreneurs” Booklet that highlights SEDD’s efforts in supporting ladies to empower and enable them in the business field to improve the economic process in the emirate.

This role comes as an implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to support, rehabilitate and empower women and provide them with the opportunity to contribute to the comprehensive and sustainable economic development process.

The booklet consists of four main chapters containing the Department's efforts, in cooperation with its strategic partners, to enhance the contribution of Emirati women to the process of sustainable economic development and support their entry into the labor market as an important and indispensable human resource.

The first Chapter, entitled "SEDD & Businesswomen", included the role of the Department and the support it provides to businesswomen. Such thing was represented through "Eitimad" license, which succeeded in supporting and assisting male and female citizens to invest in small projects and providing support to hundreds of projects to practice business from home in a manner commensurate with the capabilities of women. According to the statistical ratios for the year 2020, the number of “Eitimad” licenses reached 208 issued licenses, and 328 renewed ones, with a total of 536 licenses. This contributed significantly to achieving sustainable economic development in the emirate.

The second chapter dealt with the statistical data of studies and reports related to the growth rates of new and renewed business licenses for businesswomen in the Emirate of Sharjah. The total number of businesswomen’s licenses issued and renewed reached 3,008 in 2020, with a growth rate of 3%.

Then, the third chapter highlighted the role of the Department's strategic partners in promoting and facilitating the contribution of Emirati women and supporting their participation in the economic development process.

On the other hand, the fourth chapter presented models for a number of women entrepreneurs in the emirate, which included the idea of ​​the project from its initiation, the difficulties faced by women entrepreneurs, ways to develop it, the means of support provided by the Department and other bodies, and examples of the Department’s initiatives and plans to support women. Also, it included several successful projects which are inspiring and encouraging in the emirate.

In this context, the Department affirmed its concerns to support the role of women and empower them as part of its strategic plan in activating and developing. Since its establishment, SEDD has been an incubator for women’s creative ideas to diversify and lead the local economy, improve the quality of life, and develop the community through small and medium enterprises of all kinds. The Department also confirmed its interest in preparing and implementing economic plans, conducting studies, developing investment systems that support businesswomen, providing an appropriate climate for investment. It will carry that by simplifying and facilitating procedures for investors, providing women with the latest developments and requirements of entrepreneurship in light of the competitive work environment, and enhancing their skills and capabilities in the field of entrepreneurship. Also, SEDD calls all investors and businesswomen to visits its official website www.sedd.ae to view the third edition of the “Emirati Women Entrepreneurs” Booklet to have a greater idea about the privileges provided for women in Sharjah.