12 design entrepreneurs get one-year residency at DIFC

Dubai - The 12 design entrepreneurs from different nationalities were whittled down from 155 hopefuls.

With the majority of the Arab world population consisting of youth, there needs a real focus on developing their talent so they can pursue positive outlets, not negative ones, cited a top Dubai official. 
As 12 design entrepreneurs set up shop at The Design House in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) on Monday, Mona Al Marri, director-general of the Dubai Media Office, said with "the agenda of culture very important in the UAE" this is just another step in fulfilling the vision of turning Dubai into an open air museum. 
"Today, everyone talks culture and art. It has become an international language and it's a language that is helping to ease the dialogue between the east and west. We need to focus on what brings us together, not what divides us." 
The 12 design entrepreneurs from different nationalities were whittled down from 155 hopefuls as part of the 'Harnessing Local Talents' initiative by the DIFC and Brand Dubai. 
Each has now been given a 12-month, free-of-charge residency at the Gate Avenue in the DIFC to promote and sell their unique products.
"From a government perspective, I hope to see more initiatives like this coming through that nurtures the arts and culture scene in Dubai. 
"Young entrepreneurs don't have the opportunity to invest in such a huge space when they start out, so part of that cultural agenda is supporting their business and allowing them to grow," she told Khaleej Times. 
With promoting art differently one of the main objectives of Brand Dubai, this new hub for these 12 young designers will help to encourage and nurture more home-grown talent who can then go out and represent the UAE to the rest of the world. 
kelly@khaleejtimes.com

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