ABU DHABI, 15th July, 2022 (WAM) — The General Women’s Union has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with AD Ports Group to promote Emirati women’s empowerment strategies in line with the UAE’s development efforts.
Covering a wide range of long-term social sustainability programmes that support the empowerment of Emirati women in the UAE, the MoU is a continuation of the ongoing cooperation between the two entities and consistent support provided to Emirati women, by H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF).
The signing took place at the General Women’s Union headquarters by Noura Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the General Women’s Union and Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, during a high-level delegation visit.
Also present were Dr. Noura Al Dhaheri, Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Cluster at AD Ports Group and Chief Executive Officer of Maqta Gateway, as well as a high-level delegation from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development headed by Sameh Abdulla Al Qubaisi, Director-General of Economic Affairs at the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and Dr. Ali Husain Makki, Executive Director of Logistics & Trade Facilitation Sector at Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, along with the accompanying delegation.
As part of the agreement, Maqta Gateway, the digital arm of AD Ports Group, will update the Productive Families’ Store “Matjery” (https://www.matjery.ae/) and will be responsible for maintenance of the platform, as well as linking “Matjery” with Margo Hub, the first one-stop digital logistics marketplace and aggregator in the UAE, providing smart solutions for freight, courier, trucking and warehousing.
In addition, Maqta Gateway will also add the digital payment feature to the platform, enhancing its user experience and facilitating community members’ access to productive family products, increasing their economic contribution.
The agreement stipulates the establishment of the Women in the Maritime Community Affairs Office, designed especially for Emirati women in the maritime community with the aim of enhancing their skills and talents, in addition to preparing them to lead senior roles.
Under the MoU, Maqta Gateway will also develop a digital platform for the Emirati Women’s Handicraft Academy, which was established by Her Highness Shaikha Fatima bint Mubarak and organise the Academy’s activities and events at AD Ports Group’s Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy.
The signing took place in conjunction with the ATLG 3.0 graduation ceremony, the latest iteration of the ATLG initiative launched in 2020 under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, by Maqta Gateway in collaboration with the General Women’s Union.
ATLG 3.0 commenced last February with the participation of 42 Emirati women. Since its inception, the programme has seen tremendous success, with participants completing a total of 32,000 training hours, over more than 350 training sessions, and receiving over 2,000 applications and 88 participants since inception.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said, “On behalf of AD Ports Group, I would like to share our deep gratitude to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, whose unwavering support highlights our wise leadership’s mission to promote the important role of Emirati women toward the economic and social development of our beloved nation
Today’s agreement is a new benchmark within that national framework that seeks to encourage the participation of Emirati women across all fields, building on the great record of collective success between AD Ports Group and the General Women’s Union over the years.”
The same can be said for the graduation of the third batch of the ATLG programme, which serves as testament to our successful collaboration that we are proud of. I congratulate the graduates and wish them success as they step forward and will no doubt to excel in their future careers.”
Noura Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the General Women’s Union, said, “We are happy to have taken the next step in the long-standing cooperation with AD Ports Group in support of our wise leadership’s vision to empower Emirati women.
The directives of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima have always been the foundation for our work, and have guided our cooperation with other like-minded organisations such as AD Ports Group and Maqta Gateway. Today’s agreement represents our joint commitment to empowering young Emirati women with the tools and expertise to continue their role as crucial partners in the national development of the UAE.”
She added, “We are proud of the graduates of the third batch of ATLG programme who proved their capabilities to perform well and excel in all fields, including those dominated historically by their male counterparts. I would like to congratulate them and wish them a bright future where they can be role models for the coming generations”.
Dr. Noura Al Dhaheri, Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Cluster at AD Ports Group, and Chief Executive Officer of Maqta Gateway, said, “AD Ports Group’s Maqta Gateway is keen to share its knowledge and expertise with the aim to facilitate trade through the latest technologies. Therefore, in line with this agreement, we will continue to provide the required platforms that will have a great impact on empowering women.”
The General Women’s Union, AD Ports Group and Maqta Gateway have collaborated on the development of Emirati women’s empowerment strategies since 2020 and continue to work together to devise new approaches that enhance the participation of women in the ports and maritime sector, in line with the UAE’s development efforts.