Shell and Dubai Quality Group (DQG) recently concluded a series of highly successful workshops to build awareness of the Emirates Businesswomen Award (EBWA) 2007. The well-attended workshops discussed pertinent points on business and encouraged participants to submit themselves for consideration for the EBWA, which will hand out awards in May.
Marwan Al Sawaleh, Chairman, DQG, said, “The workshops have served their purpose remarkably well, highlighting EBWA in business and professional circles as a venue to reward women for their efforts in generating new wealth for the economy. We succeeded in encouraging more women to aspire to become part of the esteemed circle or winners of the Emirates Businesswoman Award. The UAE business environment has become so dynamic and has opened new doors for more women to indulge in business. We are making sure that these opportunities are seized and utilized properly through awareness programs such as the workshops.”
The series of workshops, which concluded with the final instalment last February 18 with Sharjah Ladies Club as the sponsor and venue, had previous EBWA winners of the different categories and business group leaders as keynote speakers.
The first workshop was held last December 11, 2006, at the Al Morouj Rotana in Dubai. The event drew 35 participants and had Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, the 2006 Professional and Career Achievement criteria winner, as keynote speaker. The second workshop organized by the International Business Women Group on December 12, 2006, had 35 participants in Abu Dhabi’s Beach Rotana with 2006 Innovation Criteria winner Eng. Nazek al Sabbagh as resource person. Sharjah’s Millennium Hotel hosted the 30 participants of the third leg last January 16 with Sharjah Businesswomen Council chairperson Aysha Al Noman and 2006 EBWA Business Owner category winner Nafisa al Mulla as speakers.
There are around 10,700 businesswomen across the emirates, with 4,095 based in Dubai, 3,000 based in Sharjah and 2,732 based in Abu Dhabi. Collectively, the UAE businesswomen have invested AED 12.4 billion in manufacturing, food and hotel, building and construction, trade, financial brokerage, real estate and other business projects.
The workshop returned to Abu Dhabi last January 31 for the fourth leg at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce with a 40-strong delegation. Keynote speaker was Dr. Rawdha Al Mutawa, chairperson of Emirates Businesswomen Council, and Nafisa Taha, 2006 EBWA Community Contribution winner. The penultimate leg was hosted by Dubai’s Al Morouj Rotana with 30 participants and Farida Qambar, Dubai Businesswomen Council member, and Eng. Nazek Al Sabbagh, 2006 EBWA Innovation criteria winner, as speakers.
Omar Al Qurashi, Communications Manager at Shell, said: “It is very fulfilling to see the EBWA become one of the most important awards giving body for women in the UAE. As part of its corporate social responsibility, Shell will continue to support the Award and continue to search for other ways to increase the impact of the project, such as holding workshops with high-profile resource speakers.”
The EBWA award is open to Nationals and expatriates and is awarded in two categories – Business Owners and Professionals. To qualify for the Business Owners category, the applicant must own a business in the UAE that has been in operation for a minimum of three years. The applicant must also be primarily responsible for the current performance of the business. To qualify for the Professional category, the applicant may be employed in any professional sector in the UAE for a minimum of three years.
The criteria for the awards include leadership; future goals and financial performance; business, professional and career achievements; community contributions; and participation and innovation. The prizes for the 2007 edition will be sponsored by Paris Gallery. Deadline for submission of applications for the awards is on March 11th.
Launched in 2003 by Shell in cooperation with DQG, the EBWA also provides an effective networking forum for women entrepreneurs and professionals to enhance their businesses and careers.
