Dubai Women in Business

It’s no secret that the UAE is a thriving place for businesses and business professionals alike, but are you aware of the successes that businesswomen have had in the Middle East, and specifically the UAE? In this article, we’ll explore the successes of some of the UAE’s top businesswomen and discuss the advantages that await female entrepreneurs in the region. 

Leading Women in Business in Dubai 

On Forbes’ 2021 Power Businesswomen in the Middle East ranking, the UAE was represented by seven women who hold executive-level positions in major companies. The majority of these companies are in the banking and financial services sector, with a significant number in multinational companies and government roles as well. 

But that’s not all; these women are also recognised for their considerable efforts to their communities, especially in pandemic relief efforts. Renuka Jagtiani, Chairwoman & CEO of Landmark Group, pledged almost USD 4 million to those in need in the Middle East. And many others are working to improve inclusion and representation within their companies and regions.

"These Arab women are not only driving the region's economic growth, but are also representative of the strong female leadership and influence in the Arab world in all areas of life, from e-commerce to financial services.” - Khuloud al-Omian, editor-in-chief of Forbes Middle East

Aisha Bin Bishar, Director General of Smart Dubai 

Smart Dubai is a technology firm that helped 62 Dubai government entities during the pandemic, increasing the capacity of the Government Information Network by 300%. Aisha Bin Bishar was the brains behind “The Smart City Index,” the first ever system to measure smart city implementation around the world and worked with both the ITU and the UN to put this system in place. 

Hana Al Rostamani, Group CEO of FAB

With more than 22 years of experience in the banking and financial sector, Hana was named Group CEO of FAB in early 2021, a company that reported over USD 5 billion in revenue in 2020. 

Donna Benton, Founder and CEO of The Entertainer 

Benton began her company in 2001, fully immersing herself in the legalities of business management and starting a company from zero. As an expatriate doing business in the UAE, she has the added perspective of her own culture mixed with that of the UAE. “Dubai is a very entrepreneurial environment. It doesn’t matter who you are as long as you’re willing to work hard, believe in yourself and have passion for what you do,” says Benton. 

Benefits to Being a Businesswoman in Dubai 

The UAE has committed to being one of the top 25 countries for gender equality by 2025. And to make that goal a reality, the UAE offers a number of business incentives for female business owners in Dubai and the UAE: 

• Dubai BusinessWomen Council: provides education, training and funding opportunities for women looking to get started in business.

• Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council’s Integrated and Innovative Business Incubator: a place to help women take their ideas to the next level through advice, guidance and technical support. 

• Women Entrepreneurship Summit MENA: this summit provides women with the opportunity to speak and connect with like minded business women in Dubai to network, learn and access new opportunities. 

• Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone: the home of the UAE’s first ever businesswomen package, this area provides women with support so they can start their business: funding, bank accounts, discounts and more. 

• Dubai Women Establishment: this organisation spreads news about women in business, raising awareness about common problems for working women and promoting equality. 

Dubai is the perfect place for women looking to climb the business ladder or start their own company. With such a strong set of role models and resources, there’s never been a better time. Contact us today to get started setting up your business in Dubai. 

Written by
Adrian Oton

CEO, Europe Emirates Group