Reema Mahajan: Founder of UAE’s Largest Expat Women Community, Asia’s Top 100 Women Power Leader

Reema Mahajan, the founder of Indian Women in Dubai @(IWD) @indianwomendubai a community of more than 60,000 Indian women expats in the UAE. Reema, an alumnus of IIT and IIM, has been recognized as one of Asia’s Top 100 Women Power Leaders, with awards like the Women Empowerment Award and Top 15 Women Leaders in the Middle East 2023.

Our conversation takes us through Reema’s inspiring journey, the founding story of Indian Women in Dubai, and how the community has grown since then.

What started as a small Facebook group for making friends and connecting with similar Indian Expat women, has now grown into a community of more than 60000 Indian expat women. Reema shares the different types of initiatives Indian Women in Dubai undertakes, explaining how the community helps Indian expat women settle into Dubai.

They also help women with their careers by helping them find jobs, mentoring them in entrepreneurship and encouraging women led small businesses through their platform. Having moved from London to Dubai, Reema reflects on the differences she felt living in UAE vs living in London.

While she liked both London and UAE, she found a larger Indian community in UAE with whom she could interact and connect. Also Dubai being geographical closer to India gives a sense of comfort with regards to travelling to India.

We also discuss a bit about the big events Indian women in Dubai have hosted recently, featuring celebrities like India’s Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, Bollywood singer Guru Randhawa, Bollywood superstar Mr. Shahrukh Khan, and many more. We delve into recent developments in the UAE, including the real estate boom in Dubai with numerous constructions underway.

Additionally, we discuss the potential adoption of advanced technologies like UPI and applaud the UAE’s rapid integration of new age technologies. Do watch the episode till the end, as Reema shares insights into her investment strategy and portfolio diversification, offering a glimpse into this dynamic landscape of investing as an NRI.

We also discuss the educational system in the UAE, and how it is different from London.