Officially, public sector staff work from 8am to 2pm. Unofficially, time keeping is often slack. You hear of people turning up at 10am, looking at their watches and seeing that it's nearly lunchtime, so they're earning really nice salaries for only a couple of hour's work. In theory, starting a business allows women to arrange more flexible working hours, set their own priorities and to break through the glass ceiling that prevails in all companies, in all sectors, in all parts of the world. And yet, say observers, regional governments and banks rarely offer the practical support that budding entrepreneurs need to start up their own businesses.
Banks are particularly unwilling to loan money to ventures deemed to be risky.
This becomes a vicious circle for small businesses that need capital to launch, but can't secure capital until that venture proves itself. Dubai Department of Economic Develop-ment started to address this shortage of venture capital last summer, when it launched the interlik initiative, targeting young women and men who want to start up in business. Some private sector players are actively promoting women, however, seeing untapped potential in Gulf women's spending power. In Abu Dhabi, businessman Saeed Mohammed Al Hameli has created a venture that targets women as both entrepreneurs and as consumers, launching a women-only mall, business centre and health club. Launched on fashionable Khalidiya Street in January, She Zone is run by women for women.