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International Women’s Day: How Emirati businesswomen thrive despite challenges 


Emirati women have successfully broken barriers over the years and expanded their leadership roles in the field of business thanks to the UAE’s women empowerment policies.
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As the world marks International Women’s Day on March 8, Al Arabiya English spoke to Emirati women business-owners about what inspired them to take the leap in the world of entrepreneurship and what kind of challenges they face.
Sara Abbasi, an owner of an abaya shop that she opened in 2020, highlighted how the government’s resources are dedicated to all citizens equally.
“In terms of government resources, I’m very blessed as an Emirati woman because the country has empowered and encouraged women to start their own businesses. Resources are available to UAE citizens regardless of their gender,” said Abbasi, owner of KHAT, a company specializing in designer abayas.
The fact that Abbasi owns not one but two businesses speaks to her entrepreneurial grit and commitment. She co-owns a pop-up cafe, The Grotto, which she started along with her friend, Aysha Almheiri.
“One of the toughest challenges I faced in the process was battling my own insecurities. I had to teach myself that progress is not linear. In the age of social media, [it is] difficult not to compare yourself to other business owners or other people that you look up to,” Abbasi said.
For Aisha Alyassi, an owner of a furniture shop, one challenge was stepping out of her comfort zone and starting a business in design even though her field of study is political sciences.
Since she initially did not feel confident enough to share designs of her furniture pieces with the world, she began showing her creations to friends and family without telling them she was the designer in order to get an honest opinion.
Upon receiving positive feedback, Alyassi felt confident enough to launch Dachah Studio.
Alyassi also highlighted how the male-dominated industry also posed a challenge occasionally when discussing ideas.
“One of the biggest challenges is the fact that the furniture-making industry lacks the presence of women, as it is very difficult to find female carpenters that you could share your ideas with and talk to comfortably,” she said.
She also advised women who seek to start their own business to be brave and pursue their dreams. “Take risks, follow your dreams, and most importantly stay consistent and never lose hope.”
For Khawla Hammad, the founder of the award-winning online counseling platform Takalam, one challenge that she believes female entrepreneurs often face is funding opportunities from private entities.
“Research indicates that only a small fraction – about two percent – of venture capital funding is directed toward start-ups founded by women,” she said.
Hammad also noted the importance of learning from the experience of other female entrepreneurs to successfully build or expand a business.
“Acquiring knowledge from female founders can be extremely beneficial for those who wish to become entrepreneurs or develop their existing businesses. Through learning from other successful women who have conquered these obstacles, female entrepreneurs can gain valuable insights and wisdom that can help them overcome comparable challenges,” she said.
The odds may often not be stacked in favor of women entrepreneurs, but with the right advice and skillset, many Emirati women have turned themselves into thriving business-owners.
Emirati policies that have helped women thrive include the National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women, launched on International Women’s Day in 2015.
The strategy defines a clear framework for how government, private and civil society actors can play their part on the women’s empowerment front in the UAE.
The strategy includes goals to maintain the sustainability of Emirati women’s achievements, protecting the social fabric and cohesion by integrating roles between men and women, creating safe social welfare, and developing a spirit of responsibility to empower Emirati women to shine on regional and international levels.

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Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

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At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

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US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM

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