YEC 2013: Emirati youth exhibit skills

The ninth edition of the Young Entrepreneur Competition has concluded in Dubai, with 60 per cent of the participants being UAE nationals.

Fostering students’ business spirit The students taking part in the exhibition which followed on from the Young Entrepreneur Competition received a message of encouragement from Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. He visited the 500 kiosks exhibiting entrepreneurial projects put together by more than 1,200 high school and university students, which was held in Wafi Mall in Dubai over four days, and concluded on Saturday. CEO of the event organiser Dubai SME Abdul Baset Al Janahi thanked Shaikh Majid for the support he offered the future entrepreneurs. Wafi Mall played host to the exhibition for the second year in a row, providing participants the opportunity to display their business ideas in a public arena.

The competition featured a range of projects spanning fashion, fine arts, handicrafts, traditional or heritage products, health products, environmental awareness products, educational material, interior design, cultural activities, and information technology — all made by students.

For the first time, the competition was also hosted in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, allowing a greater number of students from all over the UAE to participate. A four-day exhibition followed on from the event and featured 1,200 projects showcased by participants of YEC 2013, which concluded in Dubai on Saturday.

YEC 2013 aims at inculcating an entrepreneurial spirit among students in schools and universities across the UAE. Dubai SME chief executive Abdul Baset Al Janahi said the competition had been so successful after its first eight years that they had decided to expand the competition:

“We are proud (of the) more inclusive stage as we introduce investment opportunities in successful and sustainable projects besides expanding to new locations in the UAE. We seek to target the largest possible number of school and university students in various parts of the UAE and facilitate their participation in the competition”.

Al Janahi added: “The YEC competition growing through to the 9^th cycle confirms our total commitment to fostering entrepreneurial spirit in the hearts of the younger generation by giving them exposure in the processes of buying and selling, and in preparing marketing plans for their projects, all within a competitive and real world of business.” The event was open to students at both high school and university, aged between 15 and 25. - news@khaleejtimes.com