UAE, Dubai, 12 November- The Mara Foundation, founded by Ashish J. Thakkar - Executive Chairman of Mara Sokoni and Chair of the United Nations Foundation's Global Entrepreneurs Council, launched Mara Mentor for the Arab world on 24 October during the Mara Group Annual Event at the Armani Hotel in Dubai.

The event, supported by the United Nations Foundation and its Global Entrepreneurs Council, brought together a distinguished guest list of government representatives, industry leaders, global institutional stakeholders and leading executives from companies across the UAE.

The evening commenced with a mentor - mentee session, which brought together up-and-coming entrepreneurs and seasoned business leaders in the region to share ideas and offer guidance. Following that was a presentation of Mara Mentor - Arab World, which featured speeches from Her Excellency, Ohood Al Roumi, Director-General of the UAE Prime Minister's Office, who was recently appointed as the first Arab member of the United Nations Foundation's Global Entrepreneurs Council; Mr. Frode Mauring, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations and Resident Representative of The United Nations Development Program UAE, Qatar and Oman; and the host of the event, Mr. Ashish J. Thakkar.

The central message of the evening challenged all stakeholders across the board from governments to the private sector to push forward with efforts to foster entrepreneurship towards reaching the targets of the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goal 8 to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all. The event also featured the announcement of the newly appointed council members of the United Nations Foundation's Global Entrepreneurs Council, which is a strategic advisory council designed to bring together successful, high-profile, entrepreneurs, and leaders who are committed to finding innovative solutions to global problems in partnership with the United Nations. The evening rounded off with a dinner overlooking the Burj Khalifa fountains and offered cuisine from across the world.

As one of the world's most popular business hubs, Dubai is well-positioned to be a launch pad for Mara Mentor, an online and mobile platform which enables ambitious entrepreneurs to connect with peers and business leaders. It empowers entrepreneurs to build their businesses into agents of job creation and economic advancement.

The UAE has made remarkable strides in fostering entrepreneurship. Her Excellency, Ohood Al Roumi said: "The launch of Mara Mentor in the region will support the ongoing efforts to empower the young generation by encouraging them to take up the massive opportunities offered by entrepreneurship and contribute to the progress at this part of the world."   

By encouraging a collaborative approach, the mentorship platform will foster idea and knowledge sharing among the Arab world's most promising entrepreneurs. It also gives successful and experienced business leaders an opportunity to give back to the UAE's next generation of entrepreneurs and play a part in the development of the region.  

Ashish J. Thakkar said: "One of the smartest moves a young entrepreneur can make early on is to take on a good mentor to offer guidance and valuable input. This has been a key lesson throughout my entrepreneurial journey. Our goal with this mentorship platform is to help guide entrepreneurs' business ideas into profitable and thriving business entities and contribute to the local and national economies."

Proceeding the event, the United Nations Foundation's Global Entrepreneurs Council's delegation was received by Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, who affirmed the position of the United Arab Emirates as a global hub for entrepreneurs and innovators.

About United Nations Foundation Global Entrepreneurs Council
The United Nations Foundation Global Entrepreneurs Council (GEC) is a strategic advisory council designed to bring together successful, high-profile, entrepreneurs and thought leaders who are committed to finding innovative solutions to global problems. Created in 2011, the GEC is comprised of audacious leaders from various industries to help the UN and the UN Foundation - and its campaigns, partnerships, and programs - reach new audiences and enhance public-private partnerships. Council members have focused their work with the UN Foundation on issues such as advancing education and empowerment, supporting refugees, bringing citizen voices to the UN at-scale, and broadening the scope of and ability to create partnership opportunities with the UN. This preeminent group carries on Ted Turner's bold example of global leadership and his desire to bring entrepreneurism and creative ideas to humanitarian issues, constituted in his commitment of one billion dollars to the United Nations 15 years ago.

Ashish J. Thakkar is the chairman of the council.

About Mara Mentor
Mara Mentor is an initiative of Mara Foundation, Mara Group's social enterprise established in 2009 by Ashish J. Thakkar, Founder of Mara Group. Mara Mentor is an online platform and mobile application that enables ambitious entrepreneurs to connect with peers and business leaders. It empowers entrepreneurs to build their businesses into agents of job creation and economic advancement. It inspires, thereby facilitating a collaborative approach to business start-up and growth.

Mentees can use the platform to showcase their business ideas and reach out to like-minded individuals to identify new business opportunities.

Mara Mentor can be accessed via website and also through mobile app available on iPhone and Android.

For further information, please contact Fatima Diallo. Email: executiveoffice@mara.com. Phone: 04 275 2908

© Press Release 2015