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The Sharjah Business Women Council has launched a one-year initiative valued at Dhs3.6 million to establish 1,000 e-commerce stores for its eligible members through a memorandum of understanding signed with Packman Portal LLC. Maryam Bin Al Shaikh, director of the council, and Mohamed Al Rashed, co-founder and chief strategy officer at the technology firm, formalised the agreement that seeks to strengthen online capabilities among women-owned businesses in Sharjah. Each store carries an annual value of Dhs3,600 and qualifies participating businesses for a complimentary second year of service if they secure at least 365 customer orders during the initial period, according to details released by the council.
Under the programme each recipient gains a dedicated website, payment gateway, product management system, administrative dashboard, customisable design features, practical training and ongoing technical support. The Sharjah Business Women Council said the package enables businesswomen to launch or enhance their digital operations while improving competitiveness in an increasingly online marketplace. The council’s statement emphasised that the partnership extends beyond infrastructure to include capability building that equips participants with skills for sustained growth.
Maryam Bin Al Shaikh said, “For many entrepreneurs, the greatest challenge is not creating an excellent product or service. It is making sure customers can discover it. In today’s economy, a strong digital presence is an absolute necessity.” She added that at the SBWC the organisation is committed to removing barriers that can prevent businesswomen from achieving their full potential and that the partnership combines digital infrastructure with practical knowledge. Bin Al Shaikh noted this gives women business owners the resources to build a professional online presence, reach wider markets and grow with greater confidence.
The director stated, “Our ambition extends beyond helping businesses launch online. We want to equip our members with capabilities that continue creating value long after this programme ends. When women-led businesses become more digitally competitive, they strengthen not only their own enterprises, but also Sharjah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the UAE’s broader digital economy.” The initiative incorporates workshops covering digital entrepreneurship, e-commerce store setup, inventory and product management, digital marketing, customer service, performance optimisation and sustainable business growth. Additional awareness campaigns and potential future joint projects aim to increase participation of women-owned businesses in the digital economy, the council reported.
Abdulaziz Almulhem, CEO and founder of Packman Portal LLC, said, “We are proud to build Packman in the UAE, a nation whose leadership has inspired a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship and opportunity. That example continues to shape our mission.” He added that the firm believes every entrepreneur deserves access to the tools needed to compete in the digital economy regardless of where they start and that through its partnerships with the SBWC it is taking another step toward empowering entrepreneurs across the UAE first, then the region and ultimately the world. The company’s platform, which offers an all-in-one e-commerce solution including fulfillment and warehousing for MENA sellers, is trusted by more than 5,000 businesses according to its corporate site.
The memorandum signing marks the latest step in the council’s efforts to support female-led enterprises as Sharjah advances its position within the UAE’s expanding digital trade landscape. Packman Portal LLC will deliver the technical components while the council coordinates member selection and programme oversight to ensure alignment with local business needs. This collaboration builds on existing frameworks that have helped women entrepreneurs integrate into broader supply chains and online marketplaces across the emirate.
