Kuwait, 13 April 2013: United Real Estate Company (URC), the Middle East's leading real estate development company announced today that it will be sponsoring INJAZ-Kuwait's entrepreneurship initiative in Marina Mall, Kuwait. The initiative is part of INJAZ-Kuwait's Company Program that extends entrepreneurship and leadership learning for high school students. The initiative will take place at URC's Marina Mall in Salmiya starting April 14, 2013 for 40 days where approximately 400 students will be participating. The students will have access to sell their own innovative products and services which include designs such as cushions made out of recycled material, design prints for t-shirts and decorative items. The students will be split into groups of 14 with 20 to 25 students in each group. Two days will be allocated per group, providing them with the opportunity to showcase and sell their products and services to the public, from 10 am to 10 pm.

INJAZ-Kuwait's CEO, Rana Abdullah Al Nibari commented on this, saying, "We appreciate this great opportunity URC has given us and the students to be able to partake in expanding entreprenurial, communication and leadership skills. Being able to sell their products and services allows the students to understand the concept of interacting and dealing with customers. We have had great experiences with URC in the past, and look forward to seeing the outcome this year."

INJAZ-Kuwait's Company Program started in 2005 with 305 students and has grown to reach 2,957 students since. INJAZ-Kuwait embarked on the US version of the program and has since localized it in Kuwait. Marina Mall has provided a platform for INJAZ-Kuwait's initiative since 2006 where the initiative enjoyed tremendous success. The students' skills and customer interaction are enhanced via the exposure provided by Marina Mall's support. One of the many students that participated in this initiative are currently working for the Green Target Company that specializes in the recycling business in Kuwait and won a regional competition in 2007.

Executive Vice President of URC, Renimah Ali Al-Mattar said, "URC is proud to continue to sponsor this growing youth program. This initiative addresses two of URC's key CSR values, including education and career development for youth. URC will continue to support a program that educates today's students about their roles as future business leaders and helps develop a more diverse generation of future entrepreneurs"

URC's collaboration for this initiative is unique in that it combines both educational and career support with assisting organizations in making a positive difference. By encouraging community involvement, URC identifies and supports organizations that strive to promote hands on education and work experience. 

United Real Estate Company (URC) is the Middle East's leading real estate development company, with total assets of KD 550.9 million (US$ 1.960 million).  Headquartered in Kuwait, URC was founded in 1973 and was listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange in 1984. 

URC primarily operates in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region through a number of fully owned subsidiaries and investments arms.  The company's portfolio includes commercial complexes, hotels, resorts, residential buildings, shopping centers, high rise office buildings, as well as mixed use developments. In Kuwait, operational developments include KIPCO Tower, Marina Hotel and Marina Mall. Regionally, URC is developing Abdali Mall in Jordan, Salalah Gardens Mall and Salalah Mall Residences in Oman, and Raouche View at 1090 in Lebanon.

URC's majority shareholder is Kuwait Projects Company (KIPCO), one of the biggest holding companies in the Middle East and North Africa, with consolidated assets of US$ 25.6 billion as at 31 December, 2012. The Group has significant ownership interests in over 60 companies operating across 24 countries. The group's main business sectors are financial services, media, real estate and manufacturing. Through its core companies, subsidiaries and affiliates, KIPCO also has interests in the education and medical sectors.

About Junior Achievement (JA) and INJAZ-Kuwait
JA is the world's largest organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs. INJAZ Kuwait is a private-sector driven non-profit NGO that works on developing and building business and entrepreneurial skills of Kuwait's youth.

Founded in 2005, INJAZ-Kuwait (INJAZ) is a non-profit (NPO), non-governmental organization (NGO) driven by Kuwait's private sector. Through strategic partnerships with Kuwait's business and education sectors, and with the help of qualified and dedicated volunteers, INJAZ delivers educational programs on entrepreneurial and leadership skills aimed at inspiring and educating future generations. Since 2005, INJAZ-Kuwait has reached over 25,000 students from more than 45 schools and universities, thanks to over 800 volunteers--and growing. INJAZ-Kuwait connects corporate volunteers to mentor youth through JA programs. Volunteers undergo orientation and training before they embark on their mentoring experience to enhance their readiness as well as performance during mentoring sessions to inspire the youth.

For more information:
INJAZ Kuwait website: injaz-kuwait.org/en/

Junior Achievements website: http://www.ja.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InjazKuwait

Twitter: @INJAZ_Kuwait

© Press Release 2013