DOHA: Enterprise Qatar, the newly-established authority to develop and promote small and medium enterprises in Qatar, has announced the launch of 'SME Evolution Program', a free web-based training program for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The announcement was made at a press conference, held at Sharq Village. The event was attended by the local sponsors, Qtel, QSTP, HSBC bank and QInvest along with Potential, the designers of the program, and EQ partner in the SME evolution program as well as the General Secretariat for Development Planning (GSDP) as strategic partner, and the regional sponsors: AllWorId, Aramex, Google, Intel, Zawya.
Over a period of six months, the 'SME Evolution Program' will go through two phases. In the first phase, the program will provide four live full-day workshops, as well as more than 48 seminars. The workshops consist of a comprehensive program that delivers key relevant business subjects by industry experts via seminars in both Arabic and English. The program is free of charge for all SMEs in Qatar.
The workshops and seminars will be given by industry experts and top professors from international universities like Harvard University, Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar, American University of Beirut and other professionals from the industry. The training program will help SMEs network with their peers throughout the Middle East and gain support from each other as well as from other mentors.
At the end of the workshops, there will be a closing ceremony in which the best 25 SMEs will be recognized for their active participation and implementation of the best business practices learned through the program. These 25 SMEs will be qualified to get to the second phase of the program, in which they will receive further individual coaching from industry experts.
Enterprise Qatar is leading a new phase of development for the small and medium business entities to help in creating a more diversified knowledge based economy," said Noora Al Mannai, Enterprise Qatar Deputy Project Director. She added: "We aim to create a comprehensive infrastructure to support entrepreneurial ventures, champion innovation, and foster the growth of business culture.
"We will work together with Potential to enhance small businesses capabilities and serve the country in building a stronger and more dynamic production sector."
Khalid Abdulla Al Mansouri, Executive Director, Business Solutions, Qtel, said: "Qtel has always supported Enterprise Qatar to help achieve its development goals. Qtel is a long-term partner for small and medium enterprises in Qatar.
SMEs interested in enrolling for the free web-based training program are invited to register on www.potential.com/sme-registration.
© The Peninsula 2011
