Sharjah: The sixth Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF) witnessed a panel discussion on "Women Entrepreneurship in the Digital Economy," featuring industry leaders Farah Chakhachiro, Cofounder and VP of Gracia Group; Michele Tarnow, CEO of Alliance Care Technologies; Safiya Ali Alkhyeli, Founder & CEO of Osool Engineering Consultants; and moderated by Patrick Cooke, MD of Oxford Business Group, Middle East and Asia.

Michele Tarnow praised the role of UAE universities in advancing high-tech and keeping pace with new trends in technology. She emphasised the opportunities for women in the digital economy, especially with the presence of research centres in Sharjah and across the country. Additionally, Tarnow commended the UAE's medical sector for being a vibrant market for medical technology companies.

Safiya Ali Alkhyeli spoke about how women living and working in the UAE are fortunate to be in an environment where discrimination against women is not prevalent. She encouraged women to take advantage of this healthy environment and engage in the competitive business world, particularly in digital construction, emphasising the need for women to improve their digital skills to be successful in today's business world and called for institutions to invest in training their staff.

Farah Chakhachiro also stressed the importance of business skills for women, advocating for education in the digital economy to equip women with the tools and skills they need to start small businesses and share entrepreneurial experiences. She added that an entrepreneurial woman is any woman who has the ability to provide sufficient and innovative solutions to problems.

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