Dubai boasts strong entrepreneurial ecosystem for women

Dubai - For women entrepreneurs to succeed, they need the support of incubators, mentors, and role models, experts said

Dubai has proudly hosted a number of success stories for women that are looking to launch their own businesses, and the city welcomes women with an entrepreneurial spirit from all around the world, experts said at a recent event.
Speaking at a webinar organised by the Dubai Chamber on Wednesday, which explored the role of women in leading digital transformation in the retail industry, experts from Dubai and Brazil highlighted several topics such as shopper loyalty, changing consumer behaviours, and the role of social media in retail.
In his opening session, Omar Khan, director of International Offices at Dubai Chamber, highlighted how Dubai has been a home for many inspiring entrepreneurs.
"As a smart city, we are always looking at how we can do better," he said. "This has been a theme of Dubai and the UAE for many years now. Women in the UAE have taken critical roles in not only leading businesses, but also launching new businesses in several sectors. Dubai, in particular, inspires entrepreneurs not just in the UAE, but around the world."
Khan added that the UAE's trade ties with Brazil have always been strong one, and that the country is looking forward to strengthening those ties. "Innovation happens everywhere in the world, which is why we always invite entrepreneurs to come to Dubai to share their ideas, transform them, and then make them happen. This is the time for startups and innovators, especially women to take charge and fulfil their potential."
Natalia Sycheva, manager of Entrepreneurship at Dubai Startup Hub, pointed out that the number of women CEOs in Fortune 500 companies has doubled since 2010, but they still make up only seven per cent of these companies. "We have to do better. For women to succeed, we need to support them with incubators, mentors, and role models, and when they launch their business, we need to help them scale up through accelerators, investors, and B2B opportunities. Dubai has built a very strong entrepreneurial ecosystem for women."
Leena Khalil, co-founder and CCO of Mumzworld, noted that Dubai has something for everyone.
"The city has a very familiar feel that makes everyone feel at ease," she said. "It is also a great place to bring your family and get them settled. The large number of nationalities living here means that everybody feels welcome, whether you are launching a business or simply here for leisure."
When it comes to digital transformation and taking brands online, Shatha Essa, founder and creative director at Shatha Essa, pointed to social media being a key element for success.
Speaking about her brand and its success, she said that Instagram has been a hotspot for driving demand for products. "Online for us has been huge. We are one of the best-selling UAE brands on social media right now. In addition to Instagram, we have also seen whatsapp play a huge role in our sales."
While online is definitely the future of retail, she also pointed out that there are several other elements that businesses need to focus on such as building customer loyalty. "As a product, we rely on the quality of our product and word of mouth. That is how we have built our customer base - on the loyalty of our happy customers."
rohma@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai