du Extends Support To GES-EVA As ’Lead Partner’
du has extended its support to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit - Entrepreneurial Ventures of Arabia (GES-EVA), held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from December 11 to 12, 2012, as a ‘Lead Partner.’
Additionally, du is also a co-sponsor of the ‘Grow Your Business – Regional SME Competition and Awards,’ along with Dubai Internet City, offering the opportunity for regional SMEs to showcase their competencies, gain international spotlight, and win cash prizes that will support their business growth.
Highlighting the growth opportunities offered by the SME sector, the GES-EVA Summit and Exhibition underlines the UAE’s commitment to fostering youth entrepreneurship, creating diversified employment opportunities and providing access to start-ups and established businesses to strong global partnerships that will help grow their business.
Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre, said: “Hosting the GES-EVA Summit and Exhibition reiterates the thought leadership of the UAE in supporting small and medium enterprises, and highlights Dubai’s global standing as a premier destination for hosting global events. We work with leading public and private sector enterprises in hosting the event, highlighting the spirit of collaboration that we foster. We are delighted to have du as our ‘Lead Partner,’ demonstrating the company’s commitment to promote the small and medium enterprises sector in the region.”
Ahmad Bin Byat, Chairman of du, said: “GES has a prestigious history, which we are proud to be associated with as a Lead Partner for the Dubai event. Entrepreneurs in the UAE are supported by a nurturing government that is eager to see them become the next wave of Emirati pioneers, and the addition of GES-EVA to our SME-promoting event calendar will help to further mature our entrepreneurial ecosystem. This event will be a call to action for Emiratis; they should take advantage of the knowledge that will be shared during GES-EVA.”
GES-EVA will put the spotlight on the golden opportunity for growth presented by the SME sector, encouraging youth entrepreneurship, fueling diversified employment opportunities and providing access for start-ups to markets and capitals across the region.
The event will be attended by leading government, public and private sector entities and institutional investors, in addition to NGOs and academia. High-ranking policymakers from the MENA region, prominent global business leaders, international financiers and C-level procurement decision makers who have a strong role in the Pan-Arab economic ecosystem will take part in the summit and exhibition.
Osman Sultan, CEO, du, will speak on the ‘Why Corporates Need To Make Entrepreneurship A CSR Act?’ panel at 11.30am on 12 December. Additionally, Loulou Khazen Baz, Founder and CEO of nabbesh.com and the winner of du’s ‘The Entrepreneur’, will be a panel member for the ‘Success Story: Changing Entrepreneur Profile’ session, on 12 December at 2pm.
According to the UAE Ministry of Economy, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) contribute 60% to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), making them an integral component of the country’s economic fabric. They generate two thirds of employment (source: Dubai SME), and are therefore supporting them is vital to the future growth and economic stability of the UAE and its people.
As a staunch supporter of SMEs in the UAE, du has an extensive history as an active advocate for entrepreneurs across the country. In its efforts to support start-up businesses, the telecom has partnered with incubator Shelter for the past three years, in addition to supporting The Young Entrepreneur competition since 2010. The telecom also created ‘The Entrepreneur’, the region’s first reality television show aimed specifically at aiding the UAE’s SMEs, which recently crowned its winner in the November finale of its first season.
As well as encouraging entrepreneurs through supporting and creating engagement initiatives, du has created tailor made solutions, such as the Her Business Super Plan and The Entrepreneur Plan, to specifically assist SMEs with their unique communications needs.
Emirate: Dubai
Date: Dec 6, 2012
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