SBWC analyses advantageous trading opportunities in Italy

Sharjah / Emirates Business

Through several trade missions and strategic matchmaking, the Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC) has been supporting new and established female entrepreneurs in the UAE by taking them to key overseas markets and showcasing their capabilities to potential buyers, investors and trading partners.
In a four-day trip to Italian fashion capital, Milan, SBWC organised one-to-one matchmaking and business prospect meetings for five of its members, with Italian suppliers in a number of sectors.
The meetings enabled the attending businesswomen to gain first-hand insights into export and import procedures, partnership options, market opportunities, and top international trends in their line of business.
The Salone del Mobile. Milano exhibition, regarded worldwide as a reference point for the furnishing and design sector, and the Milan Design Week were some of the highlights of the visit, especially for SBWC member, Hind Al Mehairbi, Owner of the concept furniture store in Abu Dhabi, IVY Home.
The five-member delegation also included Shayma Fawaz, Founder & CEO, Gossip Dessert, which is known for its Emirati-inspired international cuisine; Hanan Al Amri, the owner of Elegante E chic couture, which has boutiques in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi; UAE-based designer, Wafa Balaswad who runs a high-end fashion brand of the same name; and boutique jewellery designer, Shurooq Al Midfa, owner of By Shurooq.
They were accompanied by three SBWC officials, HE Sheikha Hind bint Majid Al Qassimi, Acting Chairperson, SBWC; Mariam Rashid Bin Al Shaikh, Membership & Services Manager; SBWC; and Nabilah Al Jaidi, Membership & Services Associate; SBWC.
The SBWC officials also held meetings with representatives of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), which is the government organisation that promotes the internationalisation of Italian companies; E-venti, which is a specialist in B2B matchmaking and has played a crucial role in organising showcase hubs for business women at international expos; and finally, Bracco Foundation, a premier institution in Italy for the promotion of their cultural and artistic heritage globally.
Through these meetings, the SBWC delegation discussed possible collaboration for future events focused on businesswomen, and enabled their members to meet specialists and gain first-hand experience about latest business practices in sectors where the Italian expertise is considered a global benchmark.
Elaborating on the value investment in trade missions, Sheikha Hind Al Qassimi, said: “SBWC trade missions are specifically designed to introduce our members to international markets and connect them with potential buyers and suppliers. By facilitating these visits, we take care of the logistics; so attendees don’t have to waste time and efforts trying to book meetings and map how to travel across unknown cities and countries. They can invest all their energy on preparing their best pitch for the meetings and events organised by professionals like us, who are focused on creating the most effective and productive visits.”
“The visit was equally productive for SBWC, as we met with leading government and private agencies in Italy, to forge new business connections and map strategies for future collaborations,” she added.