The 9th edition of Almas Bazar Exhibition ended on a high note at the Address Dubai Marina, recently. The two- day exhibition took place under the patronage of Sheikha Moza bint Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum and featured a range of fashion, beauty and lifestyle items as well as a variety of artistic, healthcare and entertaining activities that were highly praised by the 2000 visitors who flocked to the exhibition.
Almas Bazar Exhibition was held in collaboration with Rashid Centre for Disabled and National Bonds Corporation. Participating countries were Canada, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Algeria, Syria and the UAE.
The exhibition was able to boost the presence of UAE women, and Arabic women, in general, in business sector, enable them make outstanding achievements in productive works such as design, fashion, healthcare and artifacts and promote their works in the UAE and abroad.
Speaking on the occasion, Sheikha Moza bint Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum: "The UAE is committed to support sphere, achieved their various ambitions and entered many important sectors such as the business sector with a remarkable and enable women and has a proven track record in this regard. Emirati women have proven their mettle in every field and experience and gusto. I was thrilled with the excellent organizing, the massive scale of participation and the creative items on display which really demonstrate the superiority of Arab and Emirati women. No doubt this exhibition will be an addition that supports the business sector in the UAE. I would like to extend my thanks to Zainabl Iskandar, Dalal Al Bahrani, Rashid Centre for Disabled, the National Bonds Corporation and the sponsors for the efforts they have exerted to make the exhibition a success. The event coincided with the Mother Day, which is a dear occasion to our hearts. I wish best of the luck to all".
Zainab Al Askari, Member of Emirates Ladies and Free Professions Club, stressed the importance of the exhibition in highlighting the successes made by Emirati, Gulf and Arab women in various business sectors. She added: "Almas Bazar was held during a dear occasion to the hearts of women, the Mother Day, and has encouraged entrepreneur women from inside the UAE and abroad, to invest their time in establishing their own enterprises which expand their contribution to the economic growth in their country and help them earn their living".
The 9th edition of the exhibition was attended by a number of diplomatic, media and art figures as well as society and business women, including Rowaida El Mahrouki, Fatima Al Jasim, Amira Al Fadhil from the art community. Businesswomen Hikmat Al Kitoub, media figure and poet Shahid Al Abdouli, media figure Wafa Al Saleh, Dominique Hourani, Dr. Barwin Habib, Arab fashion ambassador Manal Al Ahmed and many other figures from inside the UAE and abroad were present in the exhibition.
During the opening ceremony, Ms Mariam Othman presented a commemorative plaque of Rashid Centre for Disabled to Sheikha Moza bint Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum in recognition of her outstanding role as a patron and support of the centre. She presented another plague, also, to Zainabl Eskandar, Member of the Emirates Ladies and Free Professions Club which supervised the organizing of the exhibition. Eskandar thanked Sheikha Moza bint Saeed for her role as a patron and supporter of the social activities in the emirate of Dubai and the UAE. Iskandar presented two club’s plagues to Sheikha Moza and Mariam Othman as well as commemorative gifts to children of Rashid Centre for Disabled.
Mariam Othman, Director General of Rashid Centre for Disabled, said: "We thank the organizers of 9th Almas Bazar for their efforts in organizing this event, which has a great significance in humanitarian, social, charitable and entertaining aspects. Almas Bazar is an important gathering point for businesswomen who used to participate in this exhibition since its inaugural edition. Opening the exhibition by Sheikha Moza bint Saeed and her presence in some activities have added a great value to it. We wish to continue such great activities which are equally beneficial to all stakeholders: participants, organizers and sponsors".
Mohamed Salah, Head of Wealth Management and Corporate at National Bonds Corporation, expressed his heartfelt thanks and gratitude to organizers for their outstanding efforts. "We see this partnership as a significant step - in line with the NBC’s goals to support the progress of women by securing a safe and prosperous life to all members of society", he said.
Salah added: "Our participation as sponsor of this event is part of our national commitment to the UAE and its people, citizens and residents, alike. It reflects our message of developing the rewarding investment sector to provide a sustainable financial stability and well-being".
The exhibition helped the young talented entrepreneur in their start-up and attracted the established fashion brands in the Gulf Region. A high rate of sale was recorded and some participants got the opportunity to market and distribute their products inside the UAE and abroad. Most participants allocated part of their revenues to purchase products and machines for disabled in what was described as humanitarian gesture that reflects the spirit of social solidarity in the UAE.
More than 70 exhibitors were present in the exhibition, including Emirati designers Aisha Al Shamsi, Safaa Al Aour and Mariam Al Midfa; Kuwaiti designers Hala and Manal Abdulhussain Abdulredha, Boutique 1001, Dar Al Zin, Al Shaya Jewelry, Al Bait Al Khaleeji Perfumes, Adnan Jewelry, Al Qaftan Al Malaki Al Liby, Ladies Fitness Club, Tim Hortons Café, Dr. Nutrition Centre and many more fashion houses and perfume dealers.
The Exhibition management honored the sponsors and supporters in recognition of their outstanding contribution. The list of honorees included: Rashid Centre for Disabled, National Bonds Corporation, Sama Dubai, Emirates Ladies and Free Professions Club, Al Bait Al Khaleeji Perfumes, Mohammed Hilal Company, Yassir and Mayasa Company, Kahramana Jewellery, Baba Banko Café and a number of other participants whose efforts have significantly contributed to make the exhibition a success.