It all started in the mid-nineties when four expatriate ladies, who often lunched together, decided to form a group to provide a much-needed forum for businesswomen in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The group would be named the International Business Women’s Group and its aim would be to promote the empowerment of businesswomen professionally and socially. And so began the journey, with the formation of a committee to oversee the group’s affairs and build membership.

Today, the IBWG in Abu Dhabi, is a stand-alone private non-profit association with over 200 members from all nationalities and professional fields. Although those in management positions and entrepreneurs represent the group, the IBWG is open to all professional ladies who share the goals and ambitions of the group.

The objective of the IBWG is to offer businesswomen an informal setting for networking and to allow like-minded women a chance to identify, discuss and pursue common interests regarding business activities in the United Arab Emirates. While there are other business groups operating in the country, these are in the main male dominated. Until the formation of the IBWG there was no true forum that addressed the needs and interests of women within the commercial and business sectors of the UAE.

Our Activities

Run by a duly elected committee, the IBWG is geared towards breaking the gender biases by offering women a setting to excel professionally and socially. By regularly engaging in joint forums with both national and international business groups, the neighbouring Dubai International Business Women’s Group as well as the recently the formed UAE National Business Women’s Group, the IBWG has come a long way towards meeting this goal.

Monthly luncheons are held by the IBWG the first Monday of every month that feature guest speakers, chosen and invited by the group, that offer insight, motivation and knowledge to the members. During 2002 guest speakers included Mark Turner the training manager at Emirates Airlines, Bob Urichuck the best selling author of motivational books and Dr. Philipa Kirkpatrick, an advocate of the power of positive thinking.

The group’s activities extend past the boundaries of business with regular charity events and social gatherings. Such events help not only local UAE based charitable organisations but also international associations recommended by the group’s membership.

Looking forward

As the group is made up of professional women from varying backgrounds, the IBWG is able to help people break in to the local business market. It is also the ideal forum to assist businesswomen in promoting the growth of their respective business interests, especially if the business relies on networking and relationship building.

With many of the group’s members having spent upwards of 20 years in the UAE, the opportunity to benefit from their past experience and knowledge of the local business sector is truly immeasurable. It is their determination and skill that has helped build the IBWG to its current position and, in turn, it is the growing membership that will take the group to
new heights in the future.