Government entities urged to support young Emirati entrepreneurs

dubai - Dubai Chamber coordinates meeting between the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tejar Dubai Youth Council

Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy, called upon national institutions, federal and local government departments and entities to support all young Emiratis' projects considering this as a patriotic duty while supporting the national economy.

Al Mansouri said plans are under way to expand the current allocation of 10 per cent of all annual purchases of federal departments and local bodies to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), adding that it is everyone's responsibility to support young citizens' growth and to enhance their competitiveness in the local market.

The minister was speaking during a meeting held recently at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry's headquarters with the representatives of the Tejar Dubai Youth Council that operates under the Chamber. Al Mansouri also listened to the Council's future plans and the challenges they face in their efforts to promote entrepreneurship among young citizens in the UAE.

He urged the Council members to join hands with national initiatives such as the National Programme for Small and Medium Enterprises, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development and the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and other similar organisations, which he said would benefit young Emiratis to coordinate their efforts and work towards their growth and prosperity.

Highlighting the role of budding Emirati female entrepreneurs, Al Mansouri said they play an active role in the country's economy as well as the Cabinet alongside men.

Confidence-building measures
Majid Saif Al Ghurair, chairman of Dubai Chamber, stressed the need to encourage young citizens through confidence-building measures and to recognise their skills and experience while offering them private sector-specific benefits, adding that direct communication with the Ministry can open up a gateway of opportunities for the growth and development of young citizens.

Hisham Al Shirawi, second vice-chairman, Dubai Chamber, and head of Tejar Dubai selection committee panel, called for the creation of a unified list of local suppliers for the use of government entities who will have a ready reference of Emirati entrepreneurs qualified to provide services and products.

Hamad Buamim, president and CEO of Dubai Chamber, said the formation of the Tejar Dubai Youth Council unified the voices of young citizens and entrepreneurs while helping them to develop and grow under the umbrella of the Dubai Chamber. This is the fruit of the efforts of Tejar Dubai entrepreneurship development programme which is committed to support young Emiratis enter the world of enterprise while providing them all the facilities to succeed in the business world, he said.

Buamim added that the Youth Council plays an important role in promoting young Emiratis' contribution to economic growth as they get an opportunity to interact with the private sector. The Dubai Chamber helps redress their challenges by communicating them to authorities concerned while enhancing their competitiveness in the domestic and global markets.

Saif Al Shafar, chairman of Tejar Dubai Youth Council, lauded the Dubai Chamber's role in establishing the Council, providing an opportunity to meet Al Mansouri and to present its future plans which are in line with the UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021. Al Shafar also thanked the Chamber for an opportunity to listen to the minister's recommendations on how to help young citizens succeed in the business world while enhancing the UAE's reputation as a destination for entrepreneurship.

The representatives of the Youth Council agreed with Tejar Dubai and the UAE Ministry of Economy to hold a coordination meeting later this year to discuss ways of cooperation to support young Emirati entrepreneurs.

The meeting was attended by Essa Al Zaabi, senior vice-president, institutional support sector, and general coordinator of Tejar Dubai, and members of the Youth Council.

- business@khaleejtimes.com