The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) discussed final preparations with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the UAE for an official business mission to Seoul, scheduled to take place from 23 to 30 August 2026.
Led by H.E. Halima Humaid Ali Al Owais, Board Member of SCCI, the delegation will bring together prominent female business leaders, entrepreneurs, and representatives of key economic sectors in Sharjah. The mission aims to facilitate direct business-to-business engagement, explore new opportunities for trade and investment cooperation, and establish strategic partnerships that can strengthen economic ties between Sharjah and the Republic of Korea.
The business mission carries special significance as it coincides with Emirati Women’s Day on 28 August, highlighting the significant progress made by Emirati women and their growing role in leading businesses, driving investment, and building international economic partnerships. The occasion also underscores the UAE’s commitment to empowering women and enabling them to play an increasingly influential role in global markets and cross-border economic cooperation.
The mission will feature the “Sharjah –Korea Businesswomen Forum” in Seoul, bringing together a network of UAE and Korean institutional partners, including the UAE Embassy in Seoul, Korea International Trade Association (KITA), Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC), Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (formerly SRTIP, SRTI Park), Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), and Korea-Arab Society.
The forum reflects the coordinated efforts of institutional stakeholders in supporting the mission and is designed to facilitate direct business-to-business and institutional engagement, while opening new channels of cooperation among businesswomen, companies, and economic and innovation institutions in both Sharjah and South Korea.
H.E. Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI, received H.E. Lee Won-Ik, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the UAE, and his accompanying delegation, during a meeting at the Sharjah Chamber’s headquarters.
The meeting was attended by H.E. Halima Humaid Ali Al Owais, SCCI Board Member and Head of the business mission to South Korea; Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector at SCCI; and Dr. Fatima Khalifa Al Muqarrab, Director of International Relations Department at SCCI, along with senior officials from both sides.
A New Chapter in Economic Partnership
The meeting reviewed prospects for strengthening economic relations between Sharjah and the Republic of Korea, focusing on opportunities to broaden bilateral trade and investment cooperation and strengthen direct business-to-business engagement between companies and investors in both markets.
The discussions take place as UAE–Korea economic ties gain further momentum following the implementation of the UAE–Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in early May, creating new opportunities for private-sector collaboration. The two sides emphasised the agreement’s role in expanding trade and investment flows and establishing partnerships across high-value sectors.
This comes as total non-oil trade between the UAE and South Korea reached US$6.9 billion in 2025, while mutual investments exceeded US$10 billion, providing a strong foundation for deepening economic ties and advancing them towards more diversified, integrated, and mutually beneficial cooperation.
In his remarks, H.E. Abdallah Sultan Al Owais said that UAE–Korea relations are entering a new phase of growth, driven by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the broad opportunities it offers to businesses and investors on both sides.
He noted that the Sharjah Chamber is committed to leveraging this momentum to create new pathways for Sharjah-based companies to enter and expand in the Korean market, while introducing Korean companies and investors to Sharjah’s investment opportunities, competitive advantages, and business ecosystem.
“SCCI’s business mission to Seoul is part of an integrated vision to expand the international partnership network of Sharjah’s business community and transform institutional relations into tangible business, investment, and partnership opportunities. The mission will also explore ways to leverage South Korea’s advanced technological and industrial expertise, while attracting high-value Korean investments to Sharjah in sectors that support the emirate’s future economic development priorities,” Al Owais added.
Emirati Women: Key Partners in Strengthening Economic Relations
Al Owais underscored the strategic significance of the business mission of Emirati women to South Korea coinciding with Emirati Women’s Day, describing it as a reflection of the growing influence of Emirati women in the economic landscape and their ability to represent the UAE’s business community, build international partnerships, and create new channels of cooperation with global markets.
He affirmed that the Sharjah Chamber is committed to enhancing the competitiveness of women-led enterprises and expanding their presence in high-potential and future-focused economic sectors. He said Emirati women have emerged as strategic contributors to strengthening the UAE’s economic relations, playing an increasingly prominent role in building global partnerships and strengthening the country’s presence in global markets.
Sharjah–Korea Businesswomen Forum: A Platform for Building Partnerships
The Sharjah–Korea Businesswomen Forum 2026 is a central pillar of SCCI’s business mission to Seoul, providing a direct platform for businesswomen, economic leaders, and representatives of business, investment, and innovation support institutions from Sharjah and South Korea. It aims to move beyond promoting networking and knowledge exchange towards developing concrete business partnerships and implementable joint projects.
The forum will explore investment and partnership opportunities across high-potential sectors, including technology and innovation, digital economy, advanced manufacturing, beauty and personal care, fashion, tourism and hospitality, and food industries. The programme will also include business-to-business meetings, facilitating direct connections between companies and women entrepreneurs in Sharjah and South Korea and enabling them to identify potential partners, investment opportunities, and avenues for commercial collaboration.
The mission’s agenda further features a series of high-level official meetings, field visits, and business meetings with Korean institutions and companies. The programme is designed to provide first-hand exposure to advanced Korean practices and capabilities, showcase Sharjah’s competitive investment and business advantages, and identify new opportunities for strategic cooperation, investment, knowledge transfer, and technology exchange.
Warm Korean Welcome for the Sharjah Delegation
For his part, H.E. Lee Won-Ik welcomed the Sharjah Chamber’s business mission to Seoul, praising the initiative to organise the Sharjah–Korea Businesswomen Forum, describing it as a strategic platform for deepening business-to-business engagement and expanding the role of businesswomen and women entrepreneurs in advancing UAE–Korea bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
The Ambassador expressed keen interest in strengthening cooperation with Sharjah in areas including Artificial Intelligence (AI), energy, innovation, advanced industries, and cultural exchange. He also reaffirmed the Embassy of Korea’s readiness to support coordination efforts to ensure the success of the mission by connecting Korean institutions and companies with Sharjah’s business delegation, helping identify new investment opportunities and unlock new channels for mutually beneficial cooperation.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming the importance of sustained coordination among SCCI, the Korean Embassy, and partner institutions, building on the mission’s outcomes to develop concrete joint initiatives and commercially viable projects.
They also highlighted the need to maximise the opportunities presented by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to convert the growing Sharjah–Korea relationship into long-term strategic partnerships, investment flows, and sustainable economic value creation.
