Sharjah, UAE, Thursday 23rd April 2008 - young Entrepreneurs will today successfully complete the Tawteen Entrepreneurship & Innovation project's 'Bright Ideas' course. The course is designed to unlock talent and offer skills to young Emiratis who have ideas and ambition to build their own business.

The 'Bright Ideas' course is the second step of the Tawteen Entrepreneurship & Innovation project which is an initiative of the Emirates Foundation's Tawteen ('Localization') Programme. It is being managed in a working partnership with Shell and supported by Sharjah Tatweer Forum. The Project aims to provide support to new and growing businesses across the UAE: its tailored entrepreneurship curriculum, and its cooperation with existing funding bodies, is designed to develop pathways to new business start ups.

Recently, six members from Sharjah Tatweer Forum, with business and training backgrounds were trained to deliver the Bright Ideas course to Emirati entrepreneurs which commenced on Sunday 20th April and ends today. These trainers will now act as mentors to the Bright Ideas participants supporting and guiding them through the Business Plan development process.

Mr Saeed Al Amiri, Vice President for Investments at Sharjah Islamic Bank and one of the recently qualified mentors stated, "The future of this project is undeniably positive.  The mentors are able to develop a rapport with young Entrepreneurs during delivery of the Bright Ideas course and then assist them after the course in understanding the requirements and criteria set by lending institutions in order to obtain start up funds.  This approach ensures that we unlock talent and give entrepreneurs the best possible chance for success". 

Mr Ahmed Al Sayegh, Managing Director of Emirates Foundation believes this project has great potential to support entrepreneurs across the UAE in their pathway, whilst developing much needed Emirati consultants.

Over five days, participants were given the tools to challenge their own perception of themselves and assess viability, practicability and potential of their business ideas. They were taught how to understand, develop and execute a business plan, how to conduct market research and develop a marketing plan and how to set goals and encourage motivation.

Mr Nejib Zaafrani, Managing Director of Shell Abu Dhabi was pleased to see the Shell LiveWire course, Bright Ideas, was well received by the entrepreneurs attending the sessions in Sharjah.  "As a practical tool, the course helps them to better understand what is needed for them to start their businesses. This programme complements the other entrepreneurship programmes Shell sponsors in the UAE, as Intilaaqah Abu Dhabi has been running for five years with a very good track record", Mr Zaafrani said.

Following the training sessions, mentors will be matched to entrepreneurs and a concerted programme of mentoring will commence. The aim is to guide and support the entrepreneurs through the business development stage in readiness for application processes with financial institutions.

Mr Hussain Al Mahmoudi, Chairman of Sharjah Tatweer Forum is enthused by the feedback from the mentors which are all members of the Forum.  "The potential for the growth of the private sector in Sharjah and the competitiveness of the Emirate, coupled with opportunity to assist young nationals in developing the leadership capabilities, especially in business, are and have always been key objectives of Sharjah Tatweer Forum.  We are pleased to be working with Emirates Foundation and Shell to come up with a viable program for young entrepreneurs. We are also pleased that Sharjah Tatweer Forum is able to offer the wealth of experience that lies within its membership as trainers and mentors for this important pilot program".

The Tawteen Programme was established at the Tawteen Symposium in February 2007 where eight projects were identified and have since been developed through the various testing phases through to launch.

Budding young entrepreneurs with a bright business idea can register for future Tawteen Entrepreneurship & Innovation programme sessions through www.uaetawteen.com/projects

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The Tawteen Programme in the UAE:
The Vision:

"To be recognised as a unifying force creating and strengthening sustainable solutions to capability development in the UAE, leading to an increased number of Emiratis in the private sector"

The Tawteen programme is an initiative of the Emirates Foundation and private sector partners to:

  • Leverage private sector support and best practice models, as well as mobilise private sector funding;

  • Equip Emiratis with the mindset and relevant skills for future employment in the UAE and in the global economic market; 

  • Co-ordinate with existing successful projects across the UAE, for the benefit of our community.

By combining the four key pillars of society: Private Sector, Government, Civil Society and Academia across the programme our objectives are to:

  • Unlock local talent and empower local individuals

  • Enhance access to learning and skills development

  • Ensure access to meaningful employment for locals

Sharjah Tatweer Forum (Tatweer)
Sharjah Tatweer Forum (Tatweer) is a non-profit independent entity established by a Royal Decree (29-2005) by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah, and the Honorary Chairman of Tatweer. The Forum aims to identify and develop emerging young leaders; to foster Private-Public Partnerships between the various sectors of society with the objective of raising the overall competitiveness of Sharjah; and to facilitate the implementation of new ideas and projects, encourage innovation and leadership skills and promote best practices.

Based in Sharjah, with an option to extend within and beyond Sharjah, Tatweer is managed by a Board of Directors chosen by the Sharjah Executive Council which serves for a two-year term. The Forum also has a general assembly comprised of over 200 members from various sectors within the Emirates. More and more members join every month.

www.stf.ae

Tawteen Contact:
Laura Heseltine,
Tawteen Programme
Liaison Manager
050 780 3643
Website: http://www.uaetawteen.com/projects.htm

© Press Release 2008