Dubai dialogue brings 86 women entrepreneurs together to shape sector resilience and support
Dubai Chamber and Dubai Business Women Council gathered 86 women entrepreneurs to address sector challenges, economic resilience and business support measures.
Dubai Chamber and Business Women Council Host Open Dialogue
Dubai Chamber, in collaboration with the Dubai Business Women Council, convened an open dialogue attended by 86 women entrepreneurs and business leaders. The meeting aimed to examine the current state of economic sectors amid global shifts and to identify practical measures to support women-led businesses in Dubai.
Organisers framed the event as a platform for direct engagement where entrepreneurs could present priorities, seek clarification on policy and exchange insights with institutional representatives. The session combined structured discussion with an opportunity for participants to raise sector-specific concerns.
Participants Raise Priority Challenges Across Sectors
Attendees represented a cross-section of industries, allowing the dialogue to surface a range of operational and strategic challenges. Common themes included adapting to changing international markets, access to tailored finance, digital transformation needs, and workforce upskilling.
Participants also highlighted regulatory and supply-chain concerns that affect business continuity and competitiveness, particularly for small and medium enterprises led by women. The exchange focused on identifying immediate pain points as well as longer-term structural constraints.
Officials Outline Institutional Support and Partnerships
Mohammed Ali Rashid Lootah, Director General of Dubai Chambers, underscored the economic contribution of women entrepreneurs in Dubai and reiterated the chamber’s commitment to collaboration. He said empowering women to found and scale businesses plays a critical role in job creation and sustainable economic growth.
Lootah emphasised the chamber’s intent to strengthen partnerships with the private sector and strategic stakeholders to enhance the readiness of the business environment. He noted that ensuring the smooth flow of trade and investment across different conditions requires practical, co‑ordinated solutions.
Chairwoman Stresses Inclusive Policy Design and Knowledge Exchange
Raja Issa Saleh Al Qarq, Chairwoman of the Dubai Business Women Council, described the dialogue as a demonstration of the council’s commitment to listening to women entrepreneurs. She highlighted the importance of collecting frontline insights to shape actionable policies and institutional support programs.
Al Qarq stressed that progress depends on collaboration, knowledge sharing and expanding institutional support networks that can translate dialogue into concrete measures. She framed these initiatives as foundational steps to strengthen women’s roles as key partners in Dubai’s economic development.
Emphasis on Economic Resilience and Business Continuity
A central focus of the meeting was the resilience of Dubai’s economy and the tools available to help businesses adapt to external shocks. Discussions emphasised mechanisms that can sustain trade, investment and operations during periods of volatility.
Speakers pointed to flexible regulatory frameworks, incentives for digital adoption, and access to specialized advisory services as critical enablers of continuity. The dialogue sought practical recommendations that government and private-sector entities can implement to reduce disruption and accelerate recovery.
Commitments to Capacity Building and Policy Feedback
Participants and organisers agreed on follow-up actions aimed at capacity building, including mentorship, training and targeted support for scaling enterprises. The session served as a basis for designing programmes that address skills gaps and strengthen managerial capabilities among women-led firms.
Attendees also committed to ongoing engagement with the chamber and the council to provide periodic feedback on regulatory and market obstacles. That iterative approach is intended to keep policy responses aligned with evolving business realities.
Roadmap for Continued Engagement and Measurable Outcomes
Organisers said the dialogue was not a one-off event but part of a sustained effort to embed women’s perspectives into economic planning. Plans include structured follow-up meetings, task groups to develop sector-specific solutions, and mechanisms to track the effectiveness of support measures.
The proposed roadmap aims to convert the dialogue’s recommendations into measurable outcomes that increase business resilience, expand market access and raise the participation of women entrepreneurs in strategic sectors.
The open dialogue brought diverse voices into a focused exchange on how best to support women entrepreneurs in Dubai and strengthen the emirate’s economic resilience. Continued collaboration between Dubai Chamber, the Dubai Business Women Council and private-sector partners is expected to produce targeted programmes and policy adjustments that reinforce confidence and growth among women-led businesses.