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1,000 Women Entrepreneurs in Sharjah to Receive Free Online Stores

Sharjah

The Sharjah Business Women Council has launched a new e-commerce program worth a total of AED 3.6 million ($980,000) to strengthen the activities of women-led businesses in the digital retail market. Under the one-year program, which will be carried out in cooperation with Packman Portal LLC, 1,000 fully integrated online stores will be provided to council members who meet the required conditions.

The program was announced following the signing of a memorandum of understanding by Maryam Bin Al Shaikh, Director of the Sharjah Business Women Council, and Mohamed Al Rashed, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Packman Portal LLC.

Each Store in the Sharjah Program Is Worth AED 3,600

Each entrepreneur participating in the program will benefit from a free e-commerce store with an annual value of AED 3,600. The package offered will include a dedicated website for the business, payment infrastructure, a product management system, an administrative dashboard, customizable design features, hands-on training, and continuous technical support.

Thanks to this infrastructure, women entrepreneurs will be able to launch a new online retail operation or expand their existing digital operations. The program aims to help businesses reach broader customer groups with their products and increase their competitiveness in e-commerce.

Free Service for a Second Year for Those Receiving 365 Orders

Under the agreement, businesses that receive at least 365 customer orders during the first year will also be able to benefit from the e-commerce store service free of charge in the second year. In this way, the support will cover not only the establishment of the store but also the continuation of the digital growth of businesses that actively generate sales.

Maryam Bin Al Shaikh stated that, for many entrepreneurs, the greatest challenge is not creating a good product or service, but ensuring that customers discover those products and services. Al Shaikh said that a strong digital presence has become a necessity in today’s economy and noted that the cooperation would bring technological infrastructure together with practical knowledge.

Al Shaikh stated that, through the program, women business owners would be able to establish a professional online presence, reach wider markets, and grow their businesses more securely. She also emphasized that women-led businesses with improved digital capabilities would contribute to Sharjah’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and the UAE’s digital economy.

Artificial Intelligence Will Accelerate Online Store Setup

Packman’s artificial intelligence-powered system can automatically create the store structure, product categories, and content after entrepreneurs describe their businesses in natural language. The company states that, with this infrastructure, online stores can be made ready for use in less than one hour. The platform also provides the opportunity to manage payment, inventory, orders, warehousing, shipping, and operational processes through a single dashboard.

Packman Portal Founder and CEO Abdulaziz Almulhem said that every entrepreneur, regardless of their starting point, should have access to the tools required to compete in the digital economy. Almulhem stated that the partnership was part of their goal to support entrepreneurs first in the UAE and then in regional and global markets.

Training on Digital Marketing and Inventory Management Will Be Provided

As part of the program, practical workshops will be organized on digital entrepreneurship, e-commerce store setup, inventory and product management, digital marketing, customer service, performance optimization, and sustainable business growth. The parties will also develop awareness campaigns and new joint projects to increase the participation of women-led businesses in Sharjah’s digital economy. The UAE e-commerce market generated approximately $8.1 billion, equivalent to AED 29.8 billion, in revenue in 2025. The market is expected to continue growing at an annual rate of between 10% and 15% throughout 2026.

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SPARK Reaches 7,500 Companies as Startup Demand Surges in Sharjah

SPARK in 2026 Reaches 7,500 Companies as Startup Demand Surges in Sharjah

Sharjah’s innovation ecosystem is gaining momentum as the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK) continues to attract startups and technology-driven businesses at scale.

In the early months of 2026 alone, SPARK recorded more than 1,200 licensing transactions, including new company formations and renewals. The steady inflow highlights sustained demand from startups and innovation-focused firms looking to establish and expand operations in the UAE.

The growth builds on a broader expansion of the ecosystem, which now includes more than 7,500 companies ranging from early-stage startups to global technology firms.

Startup Momentum Holds Despite Global Uncertainty

The continued rise in licensing activity comes at a time of global economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Despite these conditions, SPARK is seeing consistent interest from companies investing in long-term growth.

The park’s leadership has emphasized a shift toward scaling innovation into real economic value, with a focus on infrastructure, partnerships and commercialization. The model is designed not only to support early-stage startups but also to help companies grow beyond incubation and enter global markets.

Ecosystem Expansion and Global Positioning

SPARK’s ecosystem has expanded significantly, supported by partnerships with more than 30 local and international entities. These collaborations are helping connect startups with global markets, research institutions and industry networks.

New initiatives are also shaping the next phase of growth. The launch of BASE39, a dedicated hub for creative industries, signals a broader diversification beyond traditional technology sectors. The move aims to support design-led businesses and emerging talent, adding depth to the innovation ecosystem.

At the same time, international outreach remains a key driver. SPARK is actively working with global markets such as China and India to attract companies seeking entry into the UAE and the wider Middle East.

What This Means for the Regional E-Commerce Ecosystem

The rapid growth of SPARK reflects a broader shift in how innovation hubs compete globally. The focus is no longer limited to attracting startups, but on building integrated ecosystems that support scaling, partnerships and market access.

For e-commerce and technology businesses, this signals increasing opportunities in the UAE as a gateway to regional markets. With infrastructure, policy support and international connectivity aligned, Sharjah is strengthening its position as a hub for research, development and commercialisation.

As previously highlighted in WORLDEF’s coverage of global e-commerce expansion, ecosystems that combine innovation with scalability are becoming central to long-term growth strategies.

The pace of activity in early 2026 suggests that Sharjah’s approach is gaining traction. For startups and tech companies, the region is no longer just an entry point — it is becoming a destination for building and scaling global businesses.

Source: Gulf News