Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry initiative, Tejar Dubai entrepreneurship development programme, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai Smart City, aimed at promoting innovation amongst the private sector, especially upcoming entrepreneurs in Smart City initiatives.
The MoU was signed by Hisham Al Shirawi, 2nd Vice-Chairman Dubai Chamber , and Head of Tejar Dubai Selection Committee Panel, and H.E. Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr, Director General, Smart Dubai Office, during a ceremony held on the side lines of the Internet of Things (IoT) World Forum 2015 on Tuesday at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Also present during the signing ceremony was Essa Al Zaabi, Senior Vice-President, Institutional Support Sector, Dubai Chamber , and General Coordinator of Tejar Dubai.
Under the agreement, Tejar Dubai will identify and foster new commercial ventures for start-ups to support Dubai Smart City pillars besides supporting the implementation of Dubai Smart City initiatives within the private sector.
Commenting on the signing of the MoU, H.E. Al Shirawi, stated that Tejar Dubai is keen to play an active role in supporting Dubai Smart City initiatives as the Chamber being the voice of the business community is well positioned to play a lead role in promoting innovation among the private sector in light of its strong relationship with the large network of 180,000 plus members, as well as its existing database that contains a wide spectrum of market data.
"The joint agreement with Dubai Smart City will encourage the private sector including the young start-ups to engage in shaping Smart Dubai vision in a competitive environment that allows for best ideas to come through while identifying and fostering new commercial ventures for the upcoming entrepreneurs to support Dubai Smart City pillars," said H.E. Al Shirawi.
"This agreement also reflects on the Chamber 's commitment to identify synergies in the proposed initiatives and leverage any opportunities within private public partnership and will help us in instilling a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship amongst the youth while supporting them to take their first step in the world of business," he added.
H.E. Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr, Director General, Smart Dubai Office, said that this initiative's main objective is to provide better communications and increase cooperation between the emirate and its residents. It promotes the use of government facilities using the largest possible number of smart applications.
"The Smart City initiative has a significant impact on the economies in which it is established by creating a vibrant knowledge-based economy and communities anchored by leading global, regional and local names in the industry. These put together will help facilitate knowledge transfer and job creation and will directly support the participants of Tejar Dubai to contribute to the Smart Dubai vision," she said.
On his part, Essa Al Zaabi pointed out that since its inception the Tejar Dubai entrepreneurship development programme has helped many young entrepreneurs realise their dream of setting up their own business by offering them training, mentoring and business advice.
He further informed that till date the programme has launched 16 commercial projects with more waiting to be launched in line with the programme's objective of finding and training creative and commercially-minded youth while supporting each and every one of them realise their dreams.
With its commitment to the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, which emphasises that entrepreneurship is the shortest route to a bright future, the training programme aims to find and train creative and commercially-minded youth to help them turn their business ideas into a reality.
Under its three key pillars of assess, assist and attain, the Tejar Dubai initiative provides youth with access to an extensive development programme, including classroom learning, on-site training, mentoring and business advice. Candidates also get networking opportunities with local and international business leaders and access to investment capital.