Seoul, 26 August 2026 – The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) organised the Sharjah–Korea Businesswomen Forum in Seoul, as part of its high-level official business mission to the Republic of Korea, taking place from 23rd to 30th August, 2026.
The forum was held with the participation and cooperation of a network of UAE and Korean institutions, including Embassy of the Republic of Korea to United Arab Emirates, Korea International Trade Association (KITA), Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC), Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park), Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) and Korea-Arab Society (KAS).
The Sharjah–Korea Businesswomen Forum witnessed the signing of an official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SCCI and the Korea-Arab Society to encourage, promote and facilitate economic and trade cooperation between the two business communities. The agreement supports the mutual dispatch of economic delegations and fosters business-to-business meetings and bilateral partnerships.
The MoU also outlines joint coordination to establish and expand a business network that facilitates the circulation of business opportunities available in both markets as well as the mutual participation in trade fairs, exhibitions, conferences, business seminars, and economic forums held in both countries.
The Sharjah Chamber’s business mission is headed by H.E. Halima Humaid Ali Al Owais, SCCI Board Member, with the participation of Dr. Fatima Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Director of International Relations Department at SCCI. The delegation comprises 30 prominent businesswomen, women entrepreneurs and representatives of Sharjah’s economic, investment, and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The Sharjah–Korea Businesswomen forum opened with a keynote address by H.E. Halima Humaid Ali Al Owais, who emphasised that the Sharjah Chamber’s business mission to Korea is guided by a clear message: “We are here because we believe the future is something we can build together.”
She said the UAE and the Republic of Korea share an exceptional bond rooted in turning the impossible into reality, noting that Korea has successfully emerged as a global leader in technology, manufacturing, innovation and culture, while the UAE has become an international crossroads for trade, investment, logistics, and talent development.
Al Owais added that Sharjah has pursued a distinctive development path centred on building a people-focused economy, inspired by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. She noted that His Highness consistently emphasises that the ultimate goal is to build an economy that constantly improves Sharjah’s image as a home and a haven for its citizens, residents, and investors. This vision ensures that investment is not measured solely by financial returns but also by the knowledge it generates, the jobs it creates, and the promising opportunities it opens for future generations.
H.E. Halima Al Owais praised the strong momentum in UAE–Korea bilateral relations following the entry into force of the UAE–Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in early May. She explained that the agreement provides for the elimination of more than 90% of customs duties on goods and commodities over a 10-year period, supporting the expansion of non-oil bilateral trade, which reached approximately USD 6.9 billion in 2025, while around 178 Korean companies were operating in the UAE.
She said that Sharjah has recorded significant investment growth, attracting 142 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in 2025, with capital inflows exceeding AED 2.1 billion, generating more than 5,600 new jobs. She further highlighted a 361% increase in capital investment inflows during the first half of 2025, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion.
During the forum, the Sharjah Chamber’s delegation showcased successful Korean investment models in Sharjah and highlighted the established presence of leading Korean companies operating across diverse industrial sectors.
The delegation also underscored the strong footprint of major Korean multinational companies based in the UAE, noting the significant scope for expanding partnerships in high-growth sectors, particularly AI, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, energy, and smart mobility solutions.
The opening session featured official remarks by H.E. Jamal Abdulla Al Suwaidi, Ambassador of the UAE to the Republic of Korea, alongside senior representatives of the forum’s strategic partners, including Myungja Lee, Executive Managing Director at Korea International Trade Association (KITA), and H.E. Sungsoo CHOI, Secretary-General of the Korea-Arab Society (KAS).
The Sharjah–Korea Businesswomen forum also featured two interactive panel discussions moderated by Mai Bin Haddah Al Suwaidi, Head of International Cooperation at SCCI. The first, titled “Accelerating Women’s Economic Growth through Strategic Partnerships”, explored ways to empower women entrepreneurs to access international markets, leverage free trade agreements, and scale women-led businesses within the global economy.
The panel featured Dr. Fatima Khalifa Al Muqarrab; H.E. Maryam Bin Al Shaikh, Director of the Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC); Jina Kim, Free Trade Agreements and Trade Policy Specialist at KITA; and Arhum Yoo, Specialist of Center for Economic Security and Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (MoFA).
The second panel, titled “Fostering Innovation from Research to Industry Impact”, focused on mechanisms for converting research outputs, technological innovation, and start-up solutions into market-ready, value-added industrial products with strong commercial potential.
The session featured H.E. Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa); Dr Asma Mahmoud Fikri, Director of Government and Corporate Partnerships at Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park); Bomi Ryu, Team Lead at the Korean Cosmetic Industry Institute; and Dr Jeong- Eun Nah, President of Women in Science, Engineering and Technology in Korea (WiTECK) and Professor at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea.
Following the panel sessions and the signing ceremony of the MoU, a series of business-to-business meetings and bilateral engagements were held, bringing together women entrepreneurs and representatives of companies and institutions from Sharjah and South Korea. The meetings focused on identifying opportunities for direct commercial partnerships and knowledge exchange across high-potential sectors, including technology, advanced industries, healthcare, cosmetics, and general trade.
The Sharjah Chamber’s business mission in Seoul will continue over the coming days with an intensive business agenda featuring field visits to Korean enterprises and the design and textile markets in Dongdaemun, participation in the Global Economic Cooperation Forum, and an official reception to mark Emirati Women’s Day on 28 August.
-ENDS-
Photos: During the forum
For further information, please contact:
– Ali Elgendy
Misbar Communications
+971 54 556 8608
ali@misbar-me.com
Ahmad Aldwairi
Misbar Communications
+971567835363
ahmad.aldwairi@misbar-me.com
Dana albashiti
Misbar Communications
+971527989553
dana@misbar-me.com
