Emirati women realise potential through increasing opportunities at DWTC

More than 40% of the staff at DWTC, across all levels of the business - including in the boardroom - are women and Al Bannai is leading the charge to open up further opportunities for the whole community.

Mariam Khalfan al Roumi, the UAE Minister of Social Affairs, told the UN General Assembly earlier this year that the number of women in the UAE national workforce had increased to 22.4% - the World Bank says that only 13% of the UAE workforce was made up of women in 2004.

'Businesses in the Middle East are increasingly more open to harnessing the skills of Emirati women, and their experience is playing a key role in the growth and expansion of the region,'

said Al Bannai.

'Women are working alongside men in every area of the business world. The working environment has changed, and there is a positive atmosphere of teamwork and cooperation between employees,' she added.

Al Bannai now leads three departments of nearly 80 staff in the areas of Human Resources, Procurement and ICT (Information Communications Technology).

Al Bannai credits the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to promote the importance of women in society, that has given herself and others the opportunity to win leading positions in some of the UAE's leading public and private organisations.

Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General DWTC, said:

'DWTC promotes education and employment of UAE national women across all our business divisions. Enhancing human capital development and being an employer of choice is integral to DWTC's strategy, and we focus on providing young talented Emiratis the ideal platform to further their careers and secure a bright future.'

Asma Al Sharif has been with DWTC for six years. Having started as a trainee, she soon worked her way up to become an International Project Manager, responsible for one of DWTC's most prestigious exhibitions. When Al Sharif started, she was the only UAE national in a team of top exhibition professionals from over 25 different countries. However her resounding success has led to DWTC hiring more Emirati women in such prominent positions.

'My passion, dedication, and sense of responsibility toward my country pushed me to develop myself and my career. DWTC has provided me with outstanding training opportunities and support to develop in the business, and it has been great to see so many other Emirati women coming to work here,' said Al Sharif.

Mouza Al Suwaidi is a prominent UAE female national at DWTC because of the nature of her position - Human Resource (HR) Services Manager. Al Suwaidi is a core part of HR services at DWTC and she reached the position after serving for more than two years.

Al Suwaidi said: 'Such a mix of nationalities and cultures at DWTC creates a really healthy working environment. In addition the training courses that are available allow UAE nationals to establish a strong and competent national presence.'

Photo caption: Maryam Al Bannai, Dubai World Trade Centre's (DWTC) Vice President of Corporate Support, and Emirates Business Woman of the Year, says there has never been a better time for Emirati women to scale the highest levels of the business.