Partners with Union National Bank and La Rochelle Education Group, France to empower Emirati women in social entrepreneurship

Dubai, UAE (January 27, 2018):  Al Ahli Holding Group (AAHG), the multi-diversified international conglomerate, unveiled the first edition of Women for Business, a multicultural CSR program designed by AAHG, in partnership with Union National Bank and La Rochelle Education Group, France to promote Emirati women entrepreneurs. The program commemorates the Year of Zayed initiative honouring the UAE founding father's vision, achievements as well as his inspiring values and principles. 

A ceremony to mark the launch of the program was held at the French Embassy in Abu Dhabi in the presence of His Excellency Ludovic Pouille, the French Ambassador to the UAE and representatives from Union National Bank and AAHG CSR Division. Addressing the guests, the French ambassador extended words of support and motivation to the Emirati participants and emphasized on strengthening the relationship between France and UAE.

As part of the Women for Business program, 14 Emirati women entrepreneurs have been shortlisted to attend an insightful week of training at La Rochelle Education Group, France from 28th January to 2nd February where they will discuss socially responsible business practices with women’s empowerment at its core. The program aims to support the participants in designing socially relevant business ventures that help other women and give them the opportunity to learn from French best practices and case studies. These women will also be joining their French counterparts to benefit from 20 prestigious speakers who will help them develop their skills and broaden their horizons.

Mohammed Khammas, CEO at Al Ahli Holding Group is passionate about helping youth to develop entrepreneurial skills, social enterprises and build skills to widen their horizons and exposure. Empowering youth to be active in their societies and economies has been a key focus of Al Ahli Holding Group’s social responsibility strategy since the CSR division came into existence in 2008. 

“We are very pleased to launch the Women for Business initiative in partnership with La Rochelle Education Group and Union National Bank,” said Lina Hourani, Corporate Social Responsibility Director at Al Ahli Holding Group. “Through this initiative, we want to support talented and aspirational Emirati women by helping them access relevant knowledge and ideas to support their entrepreneurial mindset in order to create viable ventures that can make a tangible impact on society.”

Ali Khaled Alhashmi, SVP & Head of Human Resources & Centre of Excellence Group at Union National Bank said, “We are very happy to be working with Al Ahli Holding Group which has contributed significantly to raising the visibility and understanding of CSR not only regionally but at a global level. We firmly believe the ‘Women for Business’ initiative will have a lasting impact on the participants by providing them the business know-how to become successful entrepreneurs while serving as positive role models for the wider UAE community.”

The Women for Business program will enable participants to understand the concept of social entrepreneurship, and best practices from French and European social responsibility systems while they develop their social entrepreneurship ideas. The participants are given the opportunity to explore and develop intercultural teamwork skills through projects, and understand the important aspect of the diversity of business practices in emerging economies to make a positive contribution to society. 

The week-long training program includes case studies, discussions about the role of women in the society, brainstorming sessions on social entrepreneurship, social responsibility and its impact on organizations, creativity, collaborative intelligence, team building, management and marketing strategy, the art of a successful pitch, and an introduction to French and European entrepreneurial projects.