Entrepreneurship Makers Forum in Dubai tackles youth-led project challenges and highlights success
The 2nd edition of the Entrepreneurship Makers Forum has discussed key challenges encountered by youth-led projects, highlighting ways to bolster and develop their ventures.
The event, which kicked off today (Tuesday) at Khawaneej Majlis in Dubai, showcased various entrepreneurial initiatives and success stories from successful entrepreneurs.
Organised by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), the forum was attended by Major General Obaid bin Muhair, Deputy Director General of GDRFA, as well as Assistants of Director General.
The gathering began with an insightful speech by HE Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA, during which he stressed that GDRFA has been sponsoring and supporting small enterprises and entrepreneurs for more than a decade.
Al Marri emphasised that young people possess a significant capacity for creativity, which necessitates support from officials—a responsibility they must fulfill.
He added that content creators bear a significant responsibility to bolster entrepreneurial innovators, amplify their influence, and empower them, underscoring the pivotal role they play in addressing societal and national concerns.
His Excellency urged content creators in the UAE to channel their efforts towards consistently supporting national projects and trends, highlighting the need to prioritise and bolster entrepreneurs.
For her part, HE Hessa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority (CDA), noted that fostering entrepreneurship in Dubai has always been a priority, not only to support its economy and knowledge-based economy but also to support businesses of all sizes.
Buhumaid reaffirmed her keenness to communicate with stakeholders to discuss the recommendations, proposals, and challenges raised during the forum.
The forum featured several panel discussions, where Dr. Ali Humaid Bin Khatem, Advocate General, Head of Naturalisation and Residency Prosecution, took part, highlighting the concerning trend of superficial Emiratization.
Additionally, Eng. Essam Lootah, CEO of Imtiaz Service, discussed the crucial role of legislation and legal frameworks in supporting youth initiatives and strengthening sustainable development.
During the event, business consulting specialists Jassim Al Awadi and Mohammed Saif Al Yousifi, a project expert from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Department at the Ministry of Economy, delved into risk management best practices for entrepreneurial ventures. They advised entrepreneurs on how to incorporate both profit and social objectives into their business models.
The forum highlighted several motivating success stories from both female and male entrepreneurs. This included Afra Mahmoud Mohammed, co-founder of the Ghaf Project, an Emirati publishing initiative, alongside entrepreneurs Nawal Al Obaidli and Noura Mattar, who shared insights into their project, The Two Design.
Additionally, Ali Ibrahim, the proprietor of Ali Bahai Restaurant, shared his entrepreneurial journey, adding to the forum's rich tapestry of business success stories.