The Ministry of Economy and Tourism participates in the Emirati and African Women Leaders Conference
ABU DHABI, 22nd May / WAM / Her Excellency Badriya Al Maidour, Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, participated in a dialogue session entitled “Women and Entrepreneurship”, which was held as part of the Emirati and African Women’s Leadership Conference, which was held yesterday, under the generous patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, “Mother of the Emirates”, President of the General Women’s Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme President of the Family Development Foundation. The event is in cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the General Women’s Union.
Her Excellency Badriya Al Maidour confirmed that the UAE has succeeded in building an advanced economic model based on enhancing the competitiveness of the business and investment environment, and making the country an attractive global destination for male and female entrepreneurs from various countries of the world, through an integrated system of flexible legislation, qualitative initiatives, and advanced digital and logistical infrastructure.
She explained that the Ministry of Economy and Tourism is working, in this context, to continue adopting policies of economic openness and facilitating business establishment procedures, especially in future sectors, which has contributed to strengthening the economy’s connection to regional and global markets, and expanding growth opportunities for entrepreneurial projects and emerging companies.
She added that the UAE provides an integrated business environment that includes allowing 100% foreign ownership of companies in many economic activities, and more than 2,000 economic activities, in addition to more than 10 major government programs to support entrepreneurship, a competitive tax system, and a global infrastructure that includes ports, airports, and economic free zones, in addition to golden residency for entrepreneurs for a period of up to 10 years.
Regarding women’s entrepreneurship, Her Excellency Al-Maidour confirmed that the UAE has made important strides in empowering women economically, as the Ministry of Economy and Tourism is working to develop strategic initiatives and programs that enhance the participation of women entrepreneurs in various sectors, and support their access to financing, markets and expertise.
She stated that the country continues to enhance the participation of women entrepreneurs in the new economy through specific national initiatives, most notably the “100 Companies of the Future Initiative,” noting that women’s contribution to economic activity in the UAE is considered a vital and influential contribution, as businesswomen own up to 290,000 commercial licenses, representing more than 21% of the existing licenses, and that Emirati businesswomen and men own or participate in ownership of 44% of these licenses, companies, and businesses that cover various vital sectors.
She added that the presence of women in leadership positions in companies has witnessed a significant increase over the past years, as the number of businesswomen on the boards of directors of public joint stock companies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai increased by more than 92.3% to reach 148 businesswomen.
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