Latest news with #SharjahEntrepreneurshipFoundation
Al Etihad
22-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
1,414 Emirati entrepreneurs benefit from Ruwad's Programmes
22 May 2025 09:18 SHARJAH (WAM) In 2024, a total of 1,414 Emirati entrepreneurs benefited from training programmes and professional diplomas offered by the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Foundation 'Ruwad' affiliated with the Sharjah Department of Economic initiative falls within Ruwad's annual plan to equip project owners with the skills needed to establish and manage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Al Ali, Acting Director of Ruwad, stated that the foundation is implementing a set of ambitious training projects as part of its vision to empower Emirati talents in entrepreneurship. The programmes aim to open promising opportunities for entrepreneurs and support their ventures across sectors, reinforcing Sharjah's status as a preferred destination for national Ali added that Ruwad's training and diploma programmes provide participants with specialised knowledge and practical skills in administrative, financial, marketing, and legal fields. These are delivered through an integrated approach that combines real-world theoretical insights with hands-on noted that Ruwad has successfully built strong partnerships with various academic institutions, including universities, centres, and institutes, in addition to specialised entrepreneurship training entities. These collaborations support the delivery of advanced training using modern technological tools and training workshops and programmes addressed a wide range of topics, from general skill-building and business management to specialised content for launching small projects, financial accounting, and taxation for SMEs. They also included mini-MBA programmes, specialised diplomas, introductory workshops, and knowledge development Ali expressed pride in the foundation's role in upskilling various groups involved in or aspiring to join the entrepreneurial sector. These include existing entrepreneurs, aspiring startup founders, school and university students, government employees, retirees, and holders of home business licenses like Etimad and Masar. Amina Mohammed, Director of the Training, Research, and Events Department, revealed that by the end of 2024, Ruwad had delivered a total of 395 training programmes and professional diplomas since its establishment. These amounted to 3,555 training hours over 1,139 training days, with a total of 9,724 participants.
Sharjah 24
28-04-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah SME Ruwad Funds 13 Entrepreneurial Projects in 2024
This is part of the financing and support services the foundation provides to national small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Emirate of Sharjah. This brings the total number of entrepreneurial projects benefiting from the financing programme since the foundation's inception until the end of last year to 106 projects, with total financing exceeding AED 43.5 million. An Entrepreneurial Environment Ms. Amina Mohammed, Acting Director of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Foundation 'Ruwad' said that Ruwad continues to implement its ambitious strategic vision to stimulate the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Emirate of Sharjah and strengthen its established position as an inspiring and supportive hub for Emirati entrepreneurs of both genders. Ms. Amina Mohammed added that Ruwad is a preferred destination for those seeking to venture into freelance business, specifically entrepreneurship. This is achieved through the services and incentive programmes it provides that create a conducive environment for the launch of small and medium enterprises across all sectors. It also provides various facilities, benefits, and opportunities to ensure their development and increase their competitiveness. It also entres into effective institutional partnerships with government and private entities in this direction. This contributes to diversifying the local economy, supporting strategic government projects, and achieving the emirate's comprehensive development goals. Classification of Estimated Funding Amina Mohammed explained that, based on the cumulative development of the results of the financing programme provided by the Foundation from 2005 to the end of 2024, the total number of projects funded reached 106. AED 21,976,200 were disbursed through the Foundation's direct financing system, representing 50.4% of the total estimated funding, while AED 21,610,000 was provided through indirect financing via banks, representing 49.6% of the total. 10 Young Entrepreneurs' Projects Receive Funding The Acting Director of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Foundation 'Ruwad' added that the total number of projects applying for funding in 2024 reached 42, compared to 30 projects in 2023, representing a growth rate of 43.3%. She noted that the projects funded in 2024 were distributed by gender: 10 projects owned by male entrepreneurs and 3 projects owned by female entrepreneurs. These projects were classified as 54% in the commercial sector (7 projects), 31% in the professional sector (4 projects), and 15% in the industrial sector (2 industrial projects). Commercial sector accounts for 45.8% of funding In terms of financing amounts, commercial sector projects accounted for the largest share, amounting to AED 1,310,000, representing 45.8%. Occupational sector projects received a total financing amounting to AED 1 million, representing 35%. Industrial sector projects received AED 550,000, representing 19.2%. 8 projects funded in Sharjah According to the geographical distribution of the funded projects, 8 projects (61%) were in Sharjah, 4 projects (31%) were in the Eastern Region of the emirate, and 1 project (8%) was in the Central Region. In terms of the legal form of the funded projects, 11 projects were sole proprietorships, while 2 projects were limited liability one-person companies.
