Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) discussed its strategy and work plan for 2011 mainly in supporting the women's participation in the economic development and empowerment at a key meeting held recently.

The SBWC was set up by Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and his wife Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and chairperson of the SBWC, to support the integration of women in all economic activities.

The new strategy is set to keep pace with the demands of modern women to meet the challenges they face to start an industrial or commercial business, said Ameera A. Binkaram, chairperson of SBWC.

"One of the main objectives of the council was to transform entrepreneurs' creative ideas into real businesses and provide them with comprehensive supporting services to spur the role of women in developing a sustainable economical growth in compliance to international standards," she noted.

Starting with a benchmarking study presentation on international best practices in entrepreneurial and business management, the council aims to open a doorway to promote business women locally and internationally as per the guidance of Sheikha Jawaher, she added.

Sheikha Jawaher had urged SBWC to develop a new strategy that would include a variety of services for a larger number of female entrepreneurs including businesswomen, professionals, productive women as well as students and alumni.

"She had also called upon the council to nurture competitively world-class SMEs projects and provide all the necessary facilities to support sustainable development and achieve an economic boom with international standards," said Ameera.

The executive council also discussed the recommendations raised at the Women Leadership and Technology Conference held in February last year.

According to her, the 2011 conference will include women from different national and international associations and organizations.

"The conference aims to encourage businesswomen leaders to invest in modern technology and communication as well as outreaching the community through social media in addition to highlighting the role of women leaders in the area of technology," she added.

SBWC is preparing focus groups sessions in the coming days, covering different target groups to benefit from the council services.

The focus groups will be led by Nuha Safar, a business strategy consultant and owner of Nu Business Consultancy, and Khuloud Alhouli, SBWC PR and media executive and strategy project manager.-TradeArabia News Service