'Now I know how to plan': Sharjah women learn budgeting, saving through new initiative
Nearly 200 women from Sharjah city, Kalba, Dibba Al Hisn, and Al Madam took part in the initiative, which provided practical training in budgeting, saving, and spending. Led by financial consultant Salah Al Halyan, the sessions aimed to equip women with tools to apply financial concepts to daily life such as creating monthly budgets or evaluating the risks of borrowing.
Mariam Al Naqbi, a participant from Al Madam, began discussing savings habits with her children at the dinner table after completing the course. 'Money used to feel stressful,' she said. 'Now it feels like something I can plan and manage.'
In Kalba, Latifa Al Mulla said the programme gave her a clearer picture of her monthly expenses. 'I used to feel overwhelmed. Now I know where the money goes, and I can make better choices.'
For some, the programme opened new doors. One participant from Dibba Al Hisn said she had long put off starting a small business due to financial uncertainty. 'I used to think finance was too complex. But now I know how to plan and begin with what I already have.'
The programme targets women at different stages of their professional and family lives and reflects NAMA's broader efforts to build long-term economic resilience through financial understanding.
While focused on individual experiences, the initiative also aligns with national goals. According to the UAE Ministry of Finance, women now make up 54.7 per cent of federal financial sector employees and hold 42.8 per cent of leadership roles. Emirati women also account for over 75 per cent of the overall workforce in finance, with young women representing 78.12 per cent of youth in the sector.
Under the leadership of Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of NAMA, the organisation continues to invest in initiatives that build women's capacity to actively participate in and lead the UAE's economic development.
Participants have already begun applying what they've learned, drafting savings plans and managing their household budgets more carefully. For many, the programme has marked a turning point in how they think about and use money.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Visa waiver for some Pakistani passport holders comes into effect at all airports
The UAE and Pakistan have activated a visa waiver for diplomatic and official passport holders, said Ishaq Dar, deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Pakistan. In a statement on social media platform X, Dar said he met Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs earlier this week, where he was informed that the visa waiver has come into effect from July 25, 2025. The two countries signed a visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and official passports in the last week of July during the 12th session of the Pakistan-UAE Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in Abu Dhabi. "In my meeting at Abu Dhabi on June 24, 2025, with my brother Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, we agreed mutual visa waivers on diplomatic and official passports between our two brotherly countries and we both signed a Memorandum of Understanding to make this arrangement effective and operative after 30 days of the signing of the said MoU. "I am pleased to confirm that I have been informed by the UAE authorities that the visa waiver for diplomatic and official Pakistani passports entering the UAE has been activated, effective July 25, 2025, at all UAE airports,' Dar said. On the reciprocal basis, he added that similar arrangements have also been activated for UAE nationals at all Pakistani airports. The UAE and Pakistan have close diplomatic, cultural and trade ties. There are over 1.7 million Pakistanis living and working in the UAE. In addition, hundreds of thousands of tourists from Pakistan visit the Gulf country every year. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has visited the UAE numerous times ever since he took office. Importantly, this waiver is only for diplomatic and official passport holders and it is not applicable for ordinary passports.
UAE Moments
3 hours ago
- UAE Moments
Dubai Police Promotes First-Ever Female Brigadier
In a history-making move, Dubai Police have promoted Colonel Samira Abdullah Al Ali to Brigadier, making her the first woman ever to earn this prestigious rank since the force was founded in 1956. It's a major moment for the UAE — and a massive win for women in uniform. Brigadier Al Ali currently heads the Insurance Department at Dubai Police, a field she helped shape from the ground up. She joined the force in 1994, after graduating with a degree in insurance from UAE University and briefly working in the private sector. 'It was a newspaper ad that led me to join the academy,' she recalled. 'During my training, retired Major General Jasim Belramitha learned of my academic and professional background in insurance and invited me to work in that field within Dubai Police, which was still in its infancy at the time.' From humble beginnings in a tiny office with just two colleagues, she built a full-fledged department by 2000. Today, that department oversees every aspect of insurance related to the police force's assets — from vehicles to living property — and remains the only one of its kind across UAE police agencies. Samira also broke barriers in the General Department of Transport and Rescue, leading a team where no woman had worked before. With over 31 years of service, she's racked up an impressive resume: 🔹 392 medals, badges, and certificates of appreciation 🔹 225 development proposals submitted 🔹 A Master's in Business Administration and a Diploma in IT 🔹 Numerous awards for innovation, including the 'SAND' and 'Safe Driving Stars' initiatives 'This promotion is a source of pride for every woman in Dubai Police,' she said. 'It's a testament to the organisation's dedication to granting women equal opportunities to lead and serve their country.' Al Ali also thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his consistent support of women's empowerment in the UAE. Off-duty? She's also a mom — her son works in chemical engineering — and credits discipline and commitment for helping her balance it all. 'With faith and effort, everything is possible,' she says — and her story proves it.
Zawya
3 hours ago
- Zawya
Gulf Craft becomes first MENA shipyard to accept regulated crypto-to-fiat payments
Dubai, UAE – Gulf Craft now offers a fully regulated crypto-payment solution for yacht and leisure craft purchases, service and refit works, reinforcing both the shipyard's appetite for innovation and the UAE's growing stature as a global hub for digital assets. 'By integrating ARP Pay, Gulf Craft not only meets evolving client preferences but also strengthens the UAE's reputation for forward-looking manufacturing and financial innovation,' says Mohammed Hussein Alshaali, Chairman, Gulf Craft. 'The UAE was built on maritime trade and early adoption of new ideas. Embracing regulated digital payments is a natural next step.' Developed with Bahrain-licensed fintech provider ARP Pay, the service converts stablecoins such as USDT and USDC into AED or USD. A recent pilot allowed a part of a yacht purchase price to be settled in cryptocurrency, cutting transaction costs and improving client satisfaction among international buyers. 'Adding a crypto option future-proofs our customer experience,' notes Erwin Bamps, Group CEO, Gulf Craft. 'We stay ahead of the curve by adopting technologies that shape tomorrow's commerce and by tapping into the growing segment of crypto holders who prefer paying with digital assets. Whether a client is taking delivery of a Majesty or Nomad yacht or purchasing any boat or power catamaran across our Oryx or SilverCAT ranges, they can now transact through a channel that is fast, transparent and fully compliant.' The launch aligns with UAE's ambition to become the world's most crypto-friendly country, supported by VARA regulations, free-zone exchanges and a 24/7 fintech talent pool. Gulf Craft's new payment pathway will offer clients greater flexibility while further positioning the UAE at the forefront of maritime and financial innovation. About Gulf Craft Group: Gulf Craft Group is a prominent global entity with multiple companies under its umbrella in the yacht and boat manufacturing industry. Its portfolio includes Gulf Craft, Gulf Craft Maldives, and Superyacht Service Centre. Together, they deliver high-quality, personalised vessels for leisure and commercial pursuits to a diverse global clientele, along with exceptional service and support. At the heart of Gulf Craft Group is Gulf Craft, the parent brand that oversees prestigious names such as Majesty Yachts, Nomad Yachts, Oryx Cruisers, SilverCAT Boats, and Touring Passenger Vessels. These brands offer a wide range of yachts and boats, from 32 to 175 feet, embodying advanced technology, powerful engineering, timeless design, and world-class craftsmanship. Guided by visionary leadership and driven by a passionate global team, Gulf Craft continually pushes the boundaries of design and performance. This commitment is exemplified by the flagship Majesty 175, the world's largest composite-production superyacht. Since its founding in 1982, Gulf Craft has been at the forefront of innovation, solidifying its international presence through a robust dealership network. The Group operates state-of-the-art manufacturing and service facilities, including a 462,000 sq. ft shipyard in Umm Al Quwain and an additional facility in Ajman, UAE. Since 2002, Gulf Craft Maldives has also operated a 100,000 sq. ft manufacturing and servicing facility in the Maldives, with a brand new 800,000 sq. ft facility set to launch soon. To date, the company has built over 10,000 boats. Gulf Craft Group's unique integrated approach ensures comprehensive support and service for its customers worldwide, continually meeting and exceeding customer aspirations.
