JEDDAH: The Jeddah Young Business Committee (JYBC) hosted a meeting honoring Tareq Al-Suwaidan, Kuwaiti strategic planning expert and Islamic preacher, earlier this week in Jeddah. Public figures and members of the JYBC attended the meeting.
The JYBC sponsors a program to support young businessmen and help develop their knowledge by conducting meetings and interviews with leading public figures on a monthly basis.
Al-Suwaidan started the meeting by expressing his admiration, confidence and hope for Saudi young businessmen. He said in his opinion the youth are the leaders of tomorrow who will help raise their country.
"The problem with our nation and our young businessmen is that they are not planning for their future. We still live in the past and we are not planning for the long-term. You would see most youth planning for only five years ahead and not more," said the Kuwaiti strategist.
"When you look at other non-Arab countries, you will find that their businessmen execute strategic planning in their business. This allows them to plan for 50 years or even a hundred years ahead, which enables them to easily develop, achieve and rise with their nation and their business," he added.
There are countries that lead the Islamic world, including Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Turkey and Egypt. The Kingdom has accomplished so much due to its religious, political and economic weight, which made it one of the leading countries in the Gulf and Middle East, according to Al-Suwaidan.
"I recommend Saudis to invest in young minds and prepare them to be leaders for their nation's future. Studies have shown that leadership development starts from the age two to age six, which pushed me to establish day care centers to prepare those leaders," he said.
Chairman of JYBC Ayman Jamal said the committee aims to support and motivate young businessmen and women by holding such meetings that have a significant role in motivating them and to help them promote their jobs and businesses.
"Meeting such people would add to the young businessmen's experience and knowledge and answer many of their questions. This would push them to aim high and achieve more," he said.
© Arab News 2011
