(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) A young Kuwaiti woman on Wednesday became the Department of State's newest Entrepreneur in Residence as part of the Global Entrepreneurship Program (GEP).
Abrar Faisal Al-Masoud, whose company Future International Consultancy and Strategies trains upcoming business leaders, is also the first Kuwaiti to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of this kind in Washington.
"Abrar will be our first Entrepreneur in Residence who serves a whole region, supporting entrepreneurship throughout the Gulf," Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs, Nathan Scott, said in remarks at the signing ceremony.
"One of our most important GEP obligations is helping to build strong entrepreneurial communities throughout the world - We've partnered with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the White House to establish these Entrepreneurs in Residence," he added. "In Kuwait, (Al-Masoud) mentors youth through the National Youth Project," he said, noting that she is also the producer and host of the reality show Al-Mubader, which is broadcast on Kuwait TV.
Scott lauded Al-Masoud's participation in the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Marrakech, Morocco in November 2014, where her expertise "contributed to its great success." "Abrar has already proven herself very valuable to GEP," he affirmed.
Scott later told KUNA that President Barack Obama has wanted to strengthen ties with Muslim-majority countries through this initiative ever since he delivered his now-famous 2009 speech in Cairo. "The Gulf states have very vibrant economies and a level of wealth that's extraordinary and different than the rest of the region, and still there are great benefits that come from the opportunity to pursue one's dream, one's business - the entrepreneurial empowerment of people," he said.
"The way the GEP program gets at [improving the business climate] is through mentorship - This sort of support network is critical," he said. For her part, Al-Masoud said she is "so proud to get this trust of partnership which will create sustainable engagement between the US Department of State and Gulf countries to improve entrepreneurship culture." In an interview with KUNA, she said her goal has always been to spur the growth of small businesses that would benefit Kuwait and its development.
"It's time for us as Gulf youth to have ambitions, a different way of thinking, a global perspective toward a better future," Al-Masoud said.
"Kuwaiti youth are open-minded, creative, and have demonstrated their success on the world stage. That success can be used to develop the Kuwaiti economy and make the country a global financial center, as is the vision of H.E. the Amir," she emphasized. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has personally expressed his support and encouragement for her efforts, Al-Masoud said, as well as his hopes for Kuwaiti youth to form a "productive" society. The MOU means entrepreneurs like her can "get the benefits from the State Department, and we want to export the expertise of Kuwaiti youth. They have a lot to export, but they just need the chance," she said. As for her advice to young Kuwaitis eager to become business leaders, Al-Masoud urged engagement in the community as well as on a national level whenever the opportunity presents itself.
"Just believe in what you are doing. Put a goal, work hard on it, and you will reach it - I worked 24 hours a day - to be here," she added.
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