15th Women’s Exhibition opens in Dubai

Dubai: Thoraya Al Awadhi is the first Emirati woman to organise the first business exhibition at the Dubai World Exhibition and Convention Centre to help women in promoting their businesses.

Talking to Gulf News, Thoraya, Founder of Thoraya Al Awadhi Group of Companies, said: “In its 15th edition, the Women’s Exhibition is almost four times bigger, in an attempt to bring Emirati and non-Emirati entrepreneurs under one roof.”

“This exhibition is an ideal platform in the UAE and the broader Arab region for providing women with opportunities to showcase their businesses and market it to a diverse range of clients, specially targeting the lucrative Arab female market.”

The 15th Women’s Exhibition kicked off on Wednesday with the participation of over 116 female entrepreneurs from different nationalities, according to Thoraya.

The annual exhibition used to earlier take place at the Dubai Ladies Club with the maximum participation of 35 entrepreneurs. However, Thoraya said that with increasing demand and women’s growing passion for business, hosting this exhibition on a bigger scale was required.

The four-day exhibition attracted interest from entrepreneurs in various business sectors ranging from fashion, jewellery, spas and wellness, travel agencies, financial services, medical supplies, health, cosmetics, food and health products.

Palestinian women

One of the exhibitors, Original, the arm of the Palestinian Ladies Association, said that its aim was to empower Palestinian women financially and socially by selling their hand-made products and contribute in enhancing economic development.

These Palestinian women who worked from their houses were motivated to participate in this exhibition because of the exposure and promotion their businesses can potentially benefit from, said a representative of Original.

Rana Al Sayyed, founder of RanaZone for fashion, said that the exhibition is the best way for entrepreneurs to promote their businesses. “It gives us exposure in a very short time and at less cost.

“Since the government is looking to enhance the Halal fashion industry, I have an ambitious business plan to promote this sector and this exhibition is a good opportunity for me to promote my ideas and share expertise with others.”

Another exhibitor, Lamis Al Kaati, a Syrian national, said that it is difficult and costly for entrepreneurs to run their businesses in such a competitive market, and such an exhibition can be the “floating bridge to the heart of the business market”.

Charitable platform

According to Thoraya, this exhibition is not only for buying and selling but also has social responsibility to support the needy. “We have dedicated 13 stands for different institutions to support charitable work such as Child Early International Medical Centre, Senses, African Medical and Research Foundation, Children of Syria, Hawa Association, Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre and the UAE Genetic Diseases Association.”