Latest news with #AlEmadi
Al Etihad
16-03-2025
- Health
- Al Etihad
Ramadan 2025: Dubai Autism Center launches autism-friendly kit initiative
16 Mar 2025 19:51 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)In line with the objectives of the 'Year of the Community' and as part of the #RamadanInDubai' campaign, the Dubai Autism Center has announced the launch of an initiative aimed at empowering children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to participate in social and public initiative involves the distribution of specially designed autism-friendly kits, furthering the Center's efforts to support the inclusion and empowerment of individuals with autism, particularly during significant occasions such as the Holy Month of Ramadan and Eid Al Emadi, Director General of the Dubai Autism Center, stated: "This initiative is part of our commitment to contributing to the goals of the 'Year of the Community,' as declared by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to foster a cohesive and thriving society. It also aligns with our ongoing dedication to supporting families and enabling children with autism to actively engage in social and recreational activities. We recognise the challenges parents face when taking their children to public spaces, and through this autism-friendly kit, we aim to facilitate these experiences and make them more comfortable and enjoyable."Al Emadi emphasised that supporting and empowering People of Determination with autism is a collective social responsibility that requires comprehensive collaboration across all sectors. He further noted that this initiative contributes to enhancing the inclusion and empowerment of individuals with autism, in line with the National Policy for Empowering People of Determination and the 'My Community … A City for Everyone' initiative, which aims to transform Dubai into a disability-friendly Qandil, Community Outreach Coordinator at the Dubai Autism Center, highlighted that the kit serves as a valuable tool for families to help manage sensory challenges that children with autism may encounter when interacting with their surroundings. She added: "This kit is more than just a collection of tools; it is a means to promote the independence of children with autism and encourage their families to participate in social events without concerns over sensory triggers, especially given the increase in activities and family gatherings during Ramadan and Eid."Qandil also pointed out that these kits are distributed to public venues and organisations certified as Autism-Friendly, including Dubai Police stations in Al Barsha and Al Muraqqabat, Dubai Airports, Dubai Frame, Children's City, Quranic Park, Etihad Museum, Al Shindagha Museum, Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children, Hatta Heritage Village, several libraries affiliated with the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Dubai Ambulance Corporation, and the Endowment and Minors' Trust Foundation - Awqaf Dubai Autism Center encourages parents interested in obtaining the kit to apply through the Center's official communication channels. The Center reaffirms its commitment to launching initiatives that enhance the quality of life for individuals with autism and foster their seamless integration into Autism-Friendly Certification Program (AFCP), a pioneering initiative in the region, was launched by the Dubai Autism Center in September 2022. Designed to recognise exemplary organisations in the public and private sectors, the programme aims to foster a more inclusive community by encouraging higher accessibility standards for individuals with Autism Center (DAC) is a non-profit organisation founded in 2001. The Center aims to provide specialised services to take care of children with autism and provide support for their families and caregivers as per Decree No. 26 of 2021 issued by the Ruler of Dubai. The DAC's services include educational, psychological and rehabilitative programmes for children with autism. The financial resources of the Dubai Autism Center come from subsidies, donations and charitable spectrum disorder is one of the most common developmental disorders, typically appearing within the first three years of a child's life and persisting throughout their life stages. Autism affects an individual's communication and social abilities, leading to their isolation from those around them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) 2021 report, one in 36 children has ASD. This prevalence is observed to be similar in most countries worldwide. Year of Community Continue full coverage
Zawya
25-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
QDB, QNB renew partnership to foster innovation in fintech
Doha, Qatar – As part of its ongoing efforts to accelerate digital transformation and promote entrepreneurship in Qatar's financial sector, Qatar Development Bank (QDB) signed a partnership agreement with Qatar National Bank (QNB) on the sidelines of the Web Summit Qatar 2025. The partnership will entail the launch of an accelerator program aimed at fostering innovation in FinTech and promoting collaboration with QNB Group, which will contribute to the growth of Qatar's financial ecosystem and digital business environment. The agreement focuses on accelerating the adoption of FinTech through specialized programs managed by Qatar FinTech Hub, the QDB arm responsible for FinTech initiatives. The program will identify key use cases and opportunities that require innovative fintech solutions, and offer the necessary support and guidance to attract and empower promising startups to develop such solutions. The program will also assist startups in accessing markets and navigating licensing processes. QNB will play a crucial role in identifying challenges and opportunities in the fintech industry, providing technical expertise and a secure environment to test these solutions, while exploring investment opportunities in high-potential ventures. Mr. Mohammed Al Emadi, QDB's Executive Director of Investments and Incubation, said the partnership represents a strategic step forward in the bank's ongoing efforts to support Qatar's fintech ecosystem and empower entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions that align with the rapidly evolving sector and the fintech strategy led by Qatar Central Bank. "Supporting innovation is a key pillar of QDB's strategy. We believe in creating an environment that fosters creativity and innovation, particularly in financial technology, where we aim to excel by strengthening integration between financial institutions and startups," Al Emadi noted. Mr. Adel Al Malki, Senior Executive Vice President, QNB Group Retail Banking, said 'At QNB, we are committed to driving innovation and contributing to the development of Qatar's digital ecosystem. Our partnership with Web Summit Qatar 2025 reflects our shared vision with QDB to advance technological progress and unlock new growth opportunities in local and regional markets across various industries.' By formalizing this agreement, both parties aim to attract cutting-edge global financial technology solutions, draw international entrepreneurs to Qatar, stimulate investment in startups, increase FinTech adoption, and enhance private sector participation in the ecosystem. This partnership underscores QDB's commitment to a comprehensive strategy that supports the digital economy and strengthens the entrepreneurial ecosystem, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, which seeks to build a diversified, sustainable, and knowledge-based economy. The agreement also aligns with QDB's strategic focus on digital transformation, empowering the private sector, and developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem—further solidifying Qatar's position as a regional hub for FinTech innovation. About Qatar Development Bank (QDB) Qatar Development Bank (QDB), previously known as Qatar Industrial Development Bank, was established in Qatar in 1997 by Emiri Decree No. 14 as a developmental organization with the primary objective of fueling industrial growth and driving the private sector's economic diversification. Over two decades of transformation, QDB has reinvented itself to become the main supporting arm for Qatar's private sector and a powerful catalyst for socio-economic development through three access-based pillars to SME and private-enterprise support: Access to Finance, Access to Markets, and Access to Capability. The Bank's whole-journey support system covers various financing schemes and consultation services that include marketing, legal advice, booking, mentoring and development, grants and accreditation, and capacity-building platforms. This has allowed QDB to become the SME's growth partner from ideation to fruition, meeting their aspirations at every stage in order to compete at the national and global levels, while improving the economic development cycle and bringing the country closer to realizing its national vision for 2030. Today, the Bank and its subsidiaries are building on Qatar's rich legacy of socio-economic achievements by taking a brave leap into the future and focusing on the digital transformation of the country's SME and business ecosystems to usher entrepreneurs and SMEs into the new economy, embrace emerging opportunities, and steadily transform QDB into a digital bank of the future and a lighthouse that leads the way for financial and developmental institutions across the region and beyond. For more information, please visit
Zawya
09-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
QDB, MAGNiTT Research unveil Venture Investment Report 2024
The value of venture capital deals in Qatar reached a historic QAR 115 million, marking a 135% year-on-year increase. In alignment with the targets of the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030, there has been remarkable growth in private sector participation and investment fund engagement in venture capital. QDB's investment arm ranks fourth among the largest investors in the MENA region in terms of the number of deals. 71% of total financing in 2024 was directed towards Fintech. Doha, Qatar: Qatar Development Bank has released the fifth edition of its annual Venture Investment Report 2024, in collaboration with MAGNiTT Research. The publication is part of QDB's ongoing commitment to supporting Qatar's investment sector and strengthening its foundations. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of Qatar's investment landscape, enhances transparency, and offers access to data on the venture capital industry including the activities of investment funds that foster entrepreneurship and bolster the contribution of the private sector to Qatar's economic growth. Commenting on the report's significance, Mr. Abdulrahman bin Hesham Al-Sowaidi, CEO of QDB, said Qatar Development Bank remains at the forefront of enabling venture capital investments in Qatar, marking a nine-year journey of support for the industry. 'As we review the data presented in this report, we recognize the important role we play in empowering Qatar's entrepreneurship ecosystem. We are proud of the sector's growth, particularly with the increasing participation of private and international investors, who now account for more than 50% of total investments. We also emphasize the importance of solid future planning and pursue our efforts to attract investors to tap innovative projects, which would boost venture capital investments in Qatar, especially in key clusters aligned with the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030.' 'Our goal at this stage is to expand the base of investors and funds in Qatar. To this end, we have launched several pioneering regional initiatives, including the Startup Qatar Investment Program under the umbrella of Startup Qatar, a platform unveiled by the Investment Promotion Agency (Invest Qatar) last year, the Arab Entrepreneurs Investment Program, and the Partial Guarantee program, all aimed at boosting investment and supporting the private sector,' Mr. Al Emadi explained. Philip Bahoshy, CEO and Founder of MAGNiTT, said his organization was pleased to publish its annual report in collaboration with Qatar Development Bank. 'Over the past year, Qatar has seen remarkable growth, with notable events such as the Web Summit and the launch of the new fund of funds. Additionally, the emergence of several venture capital funds in the country has fostered positive momentum, with transactions increasing by 24% year-on-year.' This year's report underscores Qatar's growing role as an attractive investment hub in the Middle East and North Africa, with the number of venture capital deals in the country increasing by 24% year-on-year in 2024. The total value of deals reached QAR 115 million, marking a significant 135% increase in direct investment despite a slowdown in venture capital investments across the region and challenges in the broader investment landscape. Qatar bucked the trend, ranking fourth in the MENA with 5% of the region's total deals in 2024. QDB's investment arm also ranked fourth in the region among the most active investors in terms of the number of deals, affirming Qatar's leadership in the investment sector and solidifying its position as a hub for innovation. Additionally, Qatar ranked sixth for venture funding in the region in 2024, four times its share in 2023. The report also underscores fintech as the leading sector in Qatar, accounting for 29% of deals in 2024, an increase of 12% from 2023, highlighting the success of initiatives driven by QDB's Qatar FinTech Hub. QDB remains dedicated to strengthening the venture investment landscape by collaborating with partners in Qatar and the region through the Qatar FinTech Hub, fostering investments, attracting innovative startups to establish their businesses locally, and developing products that enhance private sector participation in venture capital. For more information and to view the full report, please visit Qatar Development Bank website: -Ends- About Qatar Development Bank Established in 1997 as a government-affiliated development institution, Qatar Development Bank aims to strengthen the national business landscape, foster industrial development and drive the economic diversification of the private sector in Qatar. Throughout more than twenty-five years of economic development, Qatar Development Bank has achieved notable successes, cementing its position as a major contributor to the national entrepreneurship ecosystem, the private sector and a diversified and knowledge-based economy. Qatar Development Bank's strategy is aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030, the Third National Development Strategy, and the Third Financial Sector Strategic Plan, with a focus on building a promising future for businesses in Qatar and empowering entrepreneurs to lead a sustainable and prosperous future. Qatar Development Bank's support system rests on three integrated pillars, namely promoting innovation by embracing and accelerating entrepreneurial ideas and investing in startups, developing local businesses by providing financial and advisory support, enabling the export ecosystem to bolster Qatari exports and raise the competitiveness of Qatari products in global markets. Additionally, QDB works on national initiatives in collaboration with partners from the governmental entities. The bank's efforts are centred around diversifying support mechanisms to foster social and economic development, leveraging available resources to advance environmental, social and institutional governance and digital transformation efforts, and promoting innovation and creativity, with a focus on forging impactful local and global partnerships.
