‘Dubai Entrepreneurship Carnival’ to foster talent among children

• Dubai SME launches Entrepreneurship Carnival to discover entrepreneurial talent among children
• Includes a series of events including Young Entrepreneurship Competition, National Souk and Entrepreneur Station
• Wafi official sponsors, and Noor Bank, Aafaq, and Maydan are support sponsors of the first-of-its-kind Carnival

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, Dubai SME, the agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) mandated to develop the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, has announced the ‘Dubai Entrepreneurship Carnival’ to foster entrepreneurial talent among children.

A first-of-its-kind initiative in the UAE, the programme combines a series of events including the Young Entrepreneur Competition (YEC), Children’s Entrepreneurship Carnival, National Souk, and Entrepreneur Station. Children aged five and above can participate in the various programmes of the Carnival, to be held at Wafi mall from 26th to 29th of November. Wafi is also the official sponsor of the event, and Noor Bank, Aafaq and Maydan are support sponsors.

Through the Carnival Dubai SME aims to provide a broad platform for children and young entrepreneurs to experiment bold innovations and translate their business ideas into reality thus contributing to advancing the growth of the UAE.

Abdul Baset Al Janahi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai SME said: “Dubai SME is proud to launch the Dubai Entrepreneurship Carnival, bringing together various age groups and varied projects, from traditional businesses to modern merchandise. The level of innovation as well as variety of projects in the National Souk has increased remarkably compared to previous years. It shows a new generation of youngsters eager to put their innovative ideas into practice and carry on the entrepreneurial tradition of our nation.”

Al Janahi added: “Dubai SME is in the forefront of supporting entrepreneurs across Dubai and the UAE, working with them to turn their vision into reality, and discovering the creativity of youngster in our schools and universities. The Dubai Entrepreneurship Carnival is a landmark initiative, which aims to strengthen Dubai’s position as a centre of entrepreneurship and start-ups that nurture innovation and intellectual property projects.”

Janahi pointed out that the Carnival will provide youngsters with the opportunity to learn about doing business and implement their business project in a professional environment filled with practical experiences, before stepping out to the competitive world of business.

Ibtihal Al Naji, General Co-ordinator of the Dubai Entrepreneurship Carnival, said: “Dubai SME is currently in the 10th year of its annual Young Entrepreneurship Competition, which has enabled many youngsters turn their ideas into real businesses. Meanwhile, the National Souk, which we launched to help citizens display and sell their products in special booths, is in its third year now and has attracted 80 participants. Such programmes aim to inculcate national values and spirit, and support Intelaq, Dubai SME’s home-based business initiative.”

The Dubai Entrepreneurship Carnival in its first session will introduce children to the basic principles of starting and developing a business and inspire them to become entrepreneurs in the future. The competition will be open to children aged between five and 11. Participants will learn about the value of money, how to deal with customers, salesmanship and the meaning of savings as well as how creativity matters in business.

“The Carnival offers future entrepreneurs the opportunity to hone their skills through expert couselling, workshops, training etc. and aims to reinforce the role of entrepreneurs in our business sector and economic development,” concluded Al Naji.