Seoul: The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) organised the Sharjah-Korea Businesswomen Forum in Seoul as part of its official business mission to the Republic of Korea, which runs from 23rd to 30th August. The forum was conducted in collaboration with various UAE and Korean institutions, including the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the UAE, 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).
According to Emirates News Agency, the forum saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SCCI and KAS to foster economic and trade cooperation between the two business communities. The agreement aims to support the exchange of economic delegations, promote business-to-business meetings, and facilitate bilateral partnerships. It also focuses on joint coordination to expand a business network that enables the exchange of business opportunities in both markets and encourages mutual participation in trade fairs, exhibitions, conferences, business seminars, and economic forums.
The Sharjah Chamber's business mission is led by Halima Humaid Ali Al Owais, SCCI Board Member, along with Dr Fatima Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Director of the International Relations Department at SCCI. The delegation includes 30 prominent businesswomen, women entrepreneurs, and representatives from Sharjah's economic, investment, and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Al Owais emphasized that the Chamber's mission to Korea is driven by the belief that the future can be collaboratively built. She highlighted the strong bond between the UAE and Korea, noting Korea's advancements in technology, manufacturing, innovation, and culture, while the UAE has become a global hub for trade, investment, logistics, and talent development.
Al Owais pointed out that Sharjah's development path focuses on creating a people-oriented economy, guided by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi's vision. This vision ensures that investment is evaluated not only by financial returns but also by the knowledge it generates, the jobs it creates, and the opportunities it opens for future generations.
She also mentioned the strong momentum in UAE-Korea relations following the UAE-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) that came into effect in early May. The agreement aims to eliminate more than 90 percent of customs duties on goods over a decade, supporting the expansion of non-oil bilateral trade, which reached approximately US$6.9 billion in 2025. Additionally, 178 Korean companies are currently operating in the UAE.
Sharjah attracted 142 foreign direct investment projects in 2025, with capital inflows exceeding AED2.1 billion and generating over 5,600 new jobs. The first half of 2025 saw a 361 percent increase in capital investment inflows, totaling approximately $1.5 billion.
During the forum, the Sharjah delegation highlighted successful Korean investment models in the emirate and showcased opportunities for expanding partnerships in high-growth sectors, including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, energy, and smart mobility.
The forum featured opening remarks by Jamal Abdulla Al Suwaidi, UAE Ambassador to the Republic of Korea; Myungja Lee, Executive Managing Director at KITA; and Sungsoo Choi, Secretary-General of KAS. It also included two interactive panel discussions. The first panel, "Accelerating Women's Economic Growth through Strategic Partnerships," explored ways to empower women entrepreneurs to access international markets and scale globally. The second panel, "Fostering Innovation from Research to Industry Impact," examined mechanisms for transforming research and innovation into market-ready products.
Following the discussions and MoU signing, business-to-business meetings facilitated engagements between women entrepreneurs and company representatives from Sharjah and South Korea, exploring opportunities for partnerships and knowledge exchange in sectors such as technology, advanced industries, healthcare, cosmetics, and general trade.
The mission will continue with field visits to Korean enterprises, participation in the Global Economic Cooperation Forum, and an official reception marking Emirati Women's Day on 28th August.