(MENAFN- The Peninsula) H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce, has stressed the role of the country's small and medium-sized companies in introducing innovative products, creating new markets and multiple jobs.
Opening the Global Entrepreneurship Week-Qatar (GEW-Qatar) yesterday, the Minister said: "Qatar believes in the central role to be played by entrepreneurs in supporting the development process for the benefit of current generations and future generations as well by ensuring a sustainable development."
Inspired by the development agenda of Qatar National Vision 2030, the country's leadership was keen to create an incubation centre for young entrepreneurs and innovators to create more opportunities, he noted.
"The advancement of entrepreneurship is a key building block for the development of the national economy, which is increasingly moving away from a hydrocarbon sector and focus on boosting an effective private sector", the Minister added.
GEW-Qatar aims to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools and knowledge they need by linking them with relevant organizations and mentors, by convening local entrepreneurs to discuss regulatory and financial policies.
Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, CEO of Qatar Development Bank, said: "The tremendous expansion of entrepreneurship under way in Qatar will continue to transform projects into products - supporting the development and diversification of our private sector. QDB will always support the success of SMEs, innovative projects and the people behind them. We look forward to many more years of partnership with GEW and everyone who makes this week possible."
Wael Sawan, Managing Director and Chairman of Qatar Shell, said: "We, at Qatar Shell, are committed to supporting the Qatar National Vision 2030. We are therefore determined to make a very practical and tangible contribution to the critical national agenda of diversifying Qatar's economy by using our scale and reach to support the development of a robust private sector."
"We have decided to take a strategic approach to address this challenge from two different angles. Firstly, by helping to increase the number of young Qataris aspiring to become entrepreneurs. So we have partnered with Bedaya to bring the 'Enterprise Challenge' to Qatar to inspire young people want to consider entrepreneurship as a career option.
"Secondly, we want to support the development of Qatari Small and Medium Enterprises. So we have partnered with Qatar Development Bank to enable local SMEs to compete for specific business opportunities within Pearl GTL, the world's largest gas to liquids plant delivered by Qatar Petroleum and Qatar Shell," added Sawan.
In honour of Women's Entrepreneurship Day, on Wednesday (November 19), Qatar Chamber, the International Chamber of Commerce, and 'How Women Work' will host a panel session featuring female entrepreneurs in Qatar, workshops on interactive networking and how to do business in Qatar, and a team building "fun session" all at the Qatar Chamber offices.
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