Latest news with #SharjahYouthCouncil
Sharjah 24
3 days ago
- Business
- Sharjah 24
New initiative to enhance palm sector innovation in Al Dhaid
Held under the theme "At the Heart of Sharjah Central Region… Our Youth: Leadership and Growth", the session aimed to reinforce the festival's role as a strategic platform for recognising agricultural innovation and empowering youth contributions to the future of the sector. The event was attended by Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI; Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI; and Rashid Khalifa Al Mahyan, Chairman of the Parents Council for Male and Female Students in the Central Region, along with several senior representatives and members of youth councils from across the UAE. During the youth circle, officials announced the launch of an innovative youth-focused competition titled "Innovate with Dates," scheduled for the next edition of the Al Dhaid Date Festival. The competition aims to stimulate youth innovation by encouraging the development of commercially viable, value-added concepts derived from dates in fields such as food manufacturing, biotechnology, and contemporary craft production. The session also featured the announcement of the Sharjah Youth Council's plan to establish the "Central Region Youth Council," set to be officially launched during International Youth Day on August 12, 2025. The new council will serve as a representative platform for youth in the Central Region, enabling their involvement in shaping and executing initiatives that address local priorities. It aims to ensure that regional development strategies are informed by grassroots insights and aligned with community needs. H.E. Abdallah Sultan Al Owais reaffirmed the Sharjah Chamber's commitment to supporting youth empowerment by launching targeted initiatives that strengthen their contribution to economic progress. He emphasised the Chamber's efforts to foster entrepreneurial engagement among young individuals, particularly in the SME sector, by providing them with opportunities to unleash their creative potential and turn their innovative ideas into successful tangible projects. Moderated by Yaqoub Al Baloushi, Media Officer at the Sharjah Youth Council, the session highlighted key discussions focused on advancing national priorities that position youth as central stakeholders in the country's development agenda. It highlighted the importance of empowering the next generation as proactive contributors to future-building, in line with the objectives of the UAE's National Youth Agenda 2031. A distinguished panel of speakers contributed to the youth circle. Dr Mariam Bin Haddah Al Suwaidi, President of Sharjah Youth Council, highlighted the Council's evolving role from mere representation to achieving real impact through the development of initiatives that address the genuine needs of youth. She noted that the establishment of the Central Region Youth Council reflects an institutional commitment to ensuring that the perspectives of young individuals inform policy and leadership decisions across the emirate. Abdullah Al Kaabi, member of the UAE Youth Entrepreneurship Council, stated that the entrepreneurial environment in the UAE has evolved into a key catalyst for empowering youth. He explained how the integrated ecosystem of mentorship and networking is opening new horizons for young people in the Central Region to transform their innovative ideas into viable and scalable business projects. Jassim Al Obaidli, Director of Youth Engagement at the Federal Youth Authority, spoke about the Authority's role as a national umbrella dedicated to youth empowerment and development across the UAE. Maha Al Muhairi, member of the UAE Youth Council for Agriculture, concluded the discussion by stressing the importance of youth empowerment in the modern agricultural sector. She noted that ensuring future food security hinges on the fusion of innovation, technology, and sustainability, presenting a unique leadership opportunity for the next generation.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
New youth-led initiative to boost palm sector innovation launched at Al Dhaid Dates Festival 2025
Sharjah: The Sharjah Youth Council (SYC), in collaboration with the UAE Youth Entrepreneurship Council, hosted an interactive youth session as part of the 9th edition of the Al Dhaid Date Festival, which is organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) at Expo Al Dhaid and is concluding today, Sunday. Held under the theme "At the Heart of Sharjah Central Region… Our Youth: Leadership and Growth", the session aimed to reinforce the festival's role as a strategic platform for recognising agricultural innovation and empowering youth contributions to the future of the sector. The event was attended by H.E. Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI; H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi, Director-General of SCCI; and H.E Rashid Khalifa Al Mahyan, Chairman of the Parents Council for Male and Female Students in the Central Region, along with several senior representatives and members of youth councils from across the UAE. During the youth circle, officials announced the launch of an innovative youth-focused competition titled "Innovate with Dates," scheduled for the next edition of the Al Dhaid Date Festival. The competition aims to stimulate youth innovation by encouraging the development of commercially viable, value-added concepts derived from dates in fields such as food manufacturing, biotechnology, and contemporary craft production. The session also featured the announcement of the Sharjah Youth Council's plan to establish the "Central Region Youth Council," set to be officially launched during International Youth Day on August 12, 2025. The new council will serve as a representative platform for youth in the Central Region, enabling their involvement in shaping and executing initiatives that address local priorities. It aims to ensure that regional development strategies are informed by grassroots insights and aligned with community needs. H.E. Abdallah Sultan Al Owais reaffirmed the Sharjah Chamber's commitment to supporting youth empowerment by launching targeted initiatives that strengthen their contribution to economic progress. He emphasised the Chamber's efforts to foster entrepreneurial engagement among young individuals, particularly in the SME sector, by providing them with opportunities to unleash their creative potential and turn their innovative ideas into successful tangible projects. Moderated by Yaqoub Al Baloushi, Media Officer at the Sharjah Youth Council, the session highlighted key discussions focused on advancing national priorities that position youth as central stakeholders in the country's development agenda. It highlighted the importance of empowering the next generation as proactive contributors to future-building, in line with the objectives of the UAE's National Youth Agenda 2031. A distinguished panel of speakers contributed to the youth circle. Dr. Mariam Bin Haddah Al Suwaidi, President of Sharjah Youth Council, highlighted the Council's evolving role from mere representation to achieving real impact through the development of initiatives that address the genuine needs of youth. She noted that the establishment of the Central Region Youth Council reflects an institutional commitment to ensuring that the perspectives of young individuals inform policy and leadership decisions across the emirate. Abdullah Al Kaabi, member of the UAE Youth Entrepreneurship Council, stated that the entrepreneurial environment in the UAE has evolved into a key catalyst for empowering youth. He explained how the integrated ecosystem of mentorship and networking is opening new horizons for young people in the Central Region to transform their innovative ideas into viable and scalable business projects. Jassim Al Obaidli, Director of Youth Engagement at the Federal Youth Authority, spoke about the Authority's role as a national umbrella dedicated to youth empowerment and development across the UAE. Maha Al Muhairi, member of the UAE Youth Council for Agriculture, concluded the discussion by stressing the importance of youth empowerment in the modern agricultural sector. She noted that ensuring future food security hinges on the fusion of innovation, technology, and sustainability, presenting a unique leadership opportunity for the next generation. For further information, please contact: Ali Elgendy Misbar Communications ali@ Ahmad Aldwairi Misbar Communications
Arabian Post
25-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Sharjah Unveils Empowerment Platform for Young Entrepreneurs
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Efforts to foster youth entrepreneurship in Sharjah have taken decisive shape with the launch of a new initiative by the Municipal Council and Sharjah City Municipality alongside the Family Development Department. Known as the Sustainable Future Youth Programme, the project seeks to streamline startup processes, facilitate licensing, and provide mentorship and finance support for young innovators. The programme introduces a unified one-stop-shop for business setup, combining municipal services with regulatory and advisory support. It aims to reduce administrative delays and lower barriers to entry for promising youth-led enterprises. Stakeholders hope this will catalyse innovation and expand economic diversification within the emirate. ADVERTISEMENT Under the scheme, participants benefit from facilitated licensing via the municipality's dedicated entrepreneurship centre. Young entrepreneurs will receive support in completing documentation, securing permits, and understanding compliance requirements. Meanwhile, Family Development Department branches will offer training sessions in business planning and financial literacy targeted at individuals aged 18–35. Sources within the Sharjah Youth Council say the programme differentiates itself through its inclusive approach to sustainability. Every startup selected must embed at least one sustainable development objective—whether in social impact, environmental protection, or economic resilience—into its business model. Mentorship and advisory services will be provided by experts from government, private sector, and academia, ensuring access to high‑value networks. Officials emphasised that one of the programme's early successes is its cooperation with Sharjah FDI Office's Emerging Entrepreneurs initiative. Since its inception in early 2024, the Emerging Entrepreneurs initiative reportedly processed its first licenses within days—365 Luxury Watches being one example of a brand that expanded into the emirate swiftly. The new youth programme is designed to build upon this momentum and scale the model to a broader demographic. The launch event featured remarks by Saif Al Suwaidi, Acting Manager of the Sharjah Investors Services Centre, who highlighted the intent to 'embrace young entrepreneurs and innovators eager to launch their projects and businesses in the emirate's vibrant markets'. Sheikha Issa Al Harmoudi of the Sharjah Youth Council stressed that aligning municipal and youth-targeted efforts is key to reduce obstacles faced by local innovators. Ruwad, the Sharjah SME foundation, will also play a pivotal role by offering membership benefits, financing options, and virtual incubation facilities—especially targeting universities and alumni. As of early 2024, Ruwad's network of roughly 1,500 members had already started utilising such support programmes. ADVERTISEMENT Earlier in 2025, complementary youth measures were introduced in the emirate. The Sharjah Capacity Development Foundation released Masar, focused on bridging the gap between education and employment for graduates. The Sharjah Youth Council, together with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, also organised the 'Industry Pioneers – Make it in the Emirates' session to orient Emirati youth towards emerging industrial opportunities under the national diversification strategy. These activities reflect Sharjah's broader ambition to bolster non‑oil sectors—such as manufacturing, tech, and creative industries—to contribute significantly to the UAE's economic targets by 2031. They also coincide with the Municipality's efforts during UAE Innovation Month in January that included youth‑centric programmes like Innovative Engineer and Innovative Farmer, aimed at nurturing a culture of creativity within municipal services. Analysts note that the sharpening focus on youth-empowerment initiatives is timely, given the global rise of youth-led impact ventures and the UAE's increasing competition with regional innovation hubs. According to market data, Sharjah's share in domestic non‑oil FDI and startup investment has grown significantly, though it remains modest compared to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The new programme aims to narrow that gap by improving regulatory efficiency and offering targeted support. Critics, however, caution that sustainable impact depends on measurable outcomes. They argue the programme should establish clear metrics—such as business survival rates, job creation, and investment attraction—to accurately assess its effectiveness. Some have also emphasised the need to extend outreach to rural and underrepresented communities across the emirate. Government responses indicate that a central dashboard for monitoring and reporting outcomes will be unveiled in the coming quarter. The Municipality has committed to publishing annual impact reports detailing licence issuance, active ventures, funding accessed, and employment generated. They also plan to host follow‑up workshops and bootstrap funds later this year. As implementation proceeds, attention will turn to integration with existing initiatives. Stakeholders emphasise synergy with SAEED's established model, Ruwad's incubation services, and the Youth Council's outreach. Plans to forge links with private sector incubators and international investor networks are also under exploration, signalling Sharjah's ambition to transform municipal-level support into a globally connected entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Gulf Today
09-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Panel discussion promotes youth engagement in industrial sector
The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) hosted a panel discussion entitled 'Industry Pioneers –Make it in the Emirates', in the presence of Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of SCCI. Organized by Sharjah Youth Council (SYC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT)'s Youth Council, the session focused on presenting future opportunities within the UAE's industrial sector to Emirati youth. It also aimed to enhance youth involvement in the national 'Make it in the Emirates' initiative to promote the industrial sector as a key pillar of the UAE's strategy to build a diversified and sustainable economy. The session witnessed broad participation from officials, experts, and young entrepreneurs with an interest in the industrial sector. Among the attendees were Hussain Mohammed Al Mahmoudi, CEO of the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park); Mohamed Ali Hilal, SCCI Board Member and CEO of Mohamed Hilal Group, and Mohammed Juma'a Al Musharrakh, CEO of the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah). Also present were Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector at SCCI, and Dr. Maryam Sultan Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Youth Council; as well as several officials and representatives from the Sharjah Chamber, local government youth councils, and SCCI Youth Council. In his remarks, Abdallah Sultan Al Owais said that public-private partnership to support young industrial pioneers forms a core component of a broader initiative framework implemented by the Sharjah Chamber in collaboration with strategic partners. 'These efforts aim to open new horizons and pathways for Emirati youth to engage in the industrial sector and to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to transform their creative ideas into viable industrial ventures that contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of the national economy,' he added. Speakers at the session discussed mechanisms for empowering youth within the 'Make it in the Emirates' initiative, outlining available industrial opportunities, existing challenges, and strategies to address them. Discussions emphasized the critical role of innovation and advanced technologies in industrial development, and the contribution of young talent to boosting the competitiveness of the UAE's industrial sector. The session also underscored the impact of government-provided incentives, policy support, and Sharjah's investor-friendly environment in supporting young entrepreneurs and fostering youth-led industrial ventures. The session also featured personal experiences in the industrial field, highlighting how obstacles and challenges can be transformed into opportunities for success. Discussions emphasised the need for Emirati youth to capitalize on available prospects within the industry, benefit from government-led support initiatives, and engage with private sector efforts—particularly programs offered by the Sharjah Chamber—to enhance entrepreneurial capabilities and foster youth-driven industrial leadership. The fourth edition of the Make it in the Emirates Forum is set to take place in partnership with the ADNEC Group in Abu Dhabi on 19-22 May 2025. Positioned as a premier global platform for industrial and technological advancements, the forum aims to significantly enhance the UAE's industrial sector, which currently contributes Dhs205 billion to the national GDP by end of 2023. As part of its expansion strategy, MoIAT will collaborate with ADNEC Group to amplify the forum's success by highlighting industrial enablers, incentives, investment opportunities, AI innovations, and sustainable manufacturing practices. A highlight of this edition will be the introduction of a dedicated pavilion for Emirati handicrafts, showcasing local talent and the cultural heritage of the UAE. It will be presented alongside cutting-edge sectors such as advanced manufacturing food & beverage, agritech, pharmaceuticals, medtech, shipbuilding, metals and fabrication, handicrafts, AI and Industry 4.0, chemicals, plastics and sustainable materials, oil and gas, hydrogen and energy, electrical equipment, machinery and construction material, aerospace, automotive and defence. Reinforcing the forum's focus on innovation and sustainability. The collaborative efforts aim to build upon the success of past editions, which saw significant engagement from both local and international entities. As the fourth edition approaches, key stakeholders will further highlight the importance of public-private partnerships. MoIAT and ADNEC's collaboration ensures logistical capabilities, financial solutions, and incentives to amplify the forum's impact. The event aims to facilitate international agreements and opportunities worth billions of dirhams, offer diverse job opportunities, and showcase success stories from international companies active in the UAE. Agencies
Sharjah 24
07-05-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
SCCI to promote youth engagement in industrial sector
Organized by Sharjah Youth Council (SYC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT)'s Youth Council, the session focused on presenting future opportunities within the UAE's industrial sector to Emirati youth. It also aimed to enhance youth involvement in the national 'Make it in the Emirates' initiative to promote the industrial sector as a key pillar of the UAE's strategy to build a diversified and sustainable economy. The session witnessed broad participation from officials, experts, and young entrepreneurs with an interest in the industrial sector. Among the attendees were Hussain Mohammed Al Mahmoudi, CEO of the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTI Park); Mohamed Ali Hilal, SCCI Board Member and CEO of Mohamed Hilal Group, and Mohammed Juma'a Al Musharrakh, CEO of the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah). Also present were Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Business Sector at SCCI, and Dr. Maryam Sultan Al Suwaidi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Youth Council; as well as several officials and representatives from the Sharjah Chamber, local government youth councils, and SCCI Youth Council. In his remarks, Abdallah Sultan Al Owais said that public-private partnership to support young industrial pioneers forms a core component of a broader initiative framework implemented by the Sharjah Chamber in collaboration with strategic partners. 'These efforts aim to open new horizons and pathways for Emirati youth to engage in the industrial sector and to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to transform their creative ideas into viable industrial ventures that contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of the national economy,' he added. Speakers at the session discussed mechanisms for empowering youth within the 'Make it in the Emirates' initiative, outlining available industrial opportunities, existing challenges, and strategies to address them. Discussions emphasized the critical role of innovation and advanced technologies in industrial development, and the contribution of young talent to boosting the competitiveness of the UAE's industrial sector. The session also underscored the impact of government-provided incentives, policy support, and Sharjah's investor-friendly environment in supporting young entrepreneurs and fostering youth-led industrial ventures. The session also featured personal experiences in the industrial field, highlighting how obstacles and challenges can be transformed into opportunities for success. Discussions emphasized the need for Emirati youth to capitalize on available prospects within the industry, benefit from government-led support initiatives, and engage with private sector efforts—particularly programs offered by the Sharjah Chamber—to enhance entrepreneurial capabilities and foster youth-driven industrial leadership.
