United Arab Emirates:

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, issued an Emiri decree regarding the reorganisation of the Sharjah Business Women Council.
As stipulated by the decree, the council will have legal personality and full capacity to carry out the necessary legal actions to fulfill its objectives and perform its duties. It will have financial, administrative, and technical independence and is recognised as one of the institutions affiliated with Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi.

According to the decree, the council’s English name will be the “Sharjah Business Women Council,” abbreviated as “SBWC.” The council’s main office will be located in Sharjah, and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, the council’s honourary president, may establish branches and offices in other cities and regions of the emirate through her decision.

The decree outlines the council’s goals, which include: 1. Promoting the status of the Sharjah Business Women Council both locally and internationally.

2. Creating a sustainable and supportive environment for businesswomen and female entrepreneurs.

3. Shifting the attitudes and general culture of women towards different business sectors.

4. Encouraging competitiveness among businesswomen and female entrepreneurs.

5. Facilitating women’s involvement in economic activities and overcoming obstacles they encounter.

To achieve these goals, the council will perform the following functions: 1. Develop general policies and strategic plans.

2. Foster strategic partnerships with female decision-makers and institutions with similar goals, both locally and globally.

3. Collaborate with relevant government bodies and promote investment activities.

4. Improve the skills and abilities of women in entrepreneurship.

5. Propose plans and create programmes to support women’s roles and participation in various economic sectors.

6. Set up investment portfolios with financial institutions.

7. Offer business development opportunities through consultations, trade missions, conferences, and exhibitions.

8. Formulate and execute contracts, agreements, memorandums of understanding, and partnerships after obtaining the president’s approval.

9. Provide facilities and advantages to council members in cooperation with government entities and relevant authorities.

10. Carry out any other functions assigned by the honourary president.

According to the decree, the council shall have a president appointed by the honorary president who shall assume the following functions: 1. Formulate general policies and approve strategic plans based on the directives of the honorary president.

2. Oversee the implementation of decisions and directives issued by the honorary president.

3. Monitor the council’s performance and develop improvement plans to achieve operational efficiency.

4. Evaluate financial performance and supervise the council’s budget expenditure mechanism.

5. Submit annual financial, technical, and administrative reports to the honorary president.

6. Present the general budget, final accounts, and proposed organizational structure of the council to the honorary president for approval.

7. Coordinate with NAMA Women Advancement Establishment regarding general policies and strategy.

8. Open and manage financial and commercial bank accounts after obtaining approval from the honourary president.

9. Represent the council in local, regional, and international conferences and meetings.

10. Represent the council in court, before governmental and private entities, and in its relations with others.

11. Delegate some of his powers to senior council employees in accordance with the applicable laws in the emirate.

12. Any other powers assigned by the honourary president.

The decree states that the council shall be managed by a director appointed by a decision of the honorary president, assisted by a sufficient number of employees, and shall exercise the following powers: 1. Propose the general policy of the council and its programs and supervise their implementation after approval by the president.

2. Develop strategic plans to ensure the advancement of the council’s work and present them to the president for approval.

3. Supervise the workflow in the council according to the prevailing laws and regulations, issue administrative decisions and circulars, and follow up on their implementation.

4. Prepare the council’s financial and administrative regulations and any amendments thereto, and establish internal work systems in coordination with the president after their approval by the honorary president.

5. Form permanent and temporary committees and working groups affiliated with the council, defining their competencies and working system.

6. Prepare the council’s general budget and final accounts and present them to the president.

7. Issue periodic reports on the council’s workflow and present them to the president.

8. Propose the organisational structure of the council and present it to the president.

9. Sign contracts, agreements, memorandums of understanding, and partnerships concluded by the council.

10. Any other tasks or powers assigned by the president.

The decree also regulates several legal aspects of the council such as the advisory committee, financial resources, use of specialised agencies, organisational structure, exemptions, replacement, enforcement, and publication.