Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani with award winners and officials during the Reyada Awards Ceremony held by NAMA Center at DECC yesterday. Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula
Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed Al-Thani said Qatar has placed entrepreneurship and SMEs at top of its strategic priorities.
Speaking at Reyada Awards, the Minister said Nama (Empowerment and Entrepreneurship) Center is among the most important national initiatives that promotes entrepreneurship among young people and encourages them to innovate. The fourth edition of Reyada Award Ceremony, held at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC), was organised by the Nama Social Development Center.
The Minister said Qatar looked to implement a host of programmes and policies that promote a constructive partnership with the private sector. The state is always keen on increasing the contribution of young entrepreneurs in economic development by encouraging them to take initiative and by providing a suitable environment for innovation.
The Minister discussed the legal and legislative frameworks that contributed to developing the business environment in the country and also discussed the initiatives made to create an attractive investment environment for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME).
The Minister highlighted the launch of the single window for investors, and the economic zones of Manateq logistics which aim to lower operating costs for investors and also discussed the efforts of the State of Qatar in diversifying its economy and enhancing its competitiveness.
The minister noted that these efforts led to structural changes in the economy and a higher contribution by the private sector led by SMEs, which became a main partner in development.
Regarding the Reyada Award, the Minister said: “Reyada Awards is one of the most important national initiatives that promotes entrepreneurships among young people and encourages them to innovate."
The Minster thanked the Nama Social Development Center and all authorities that support entrepreneurs in their bid to make an active contribution to the development of the national economy.
The aim of Reyada is to encourage entrepreneurial initiatives and innovation. The event was hosted by Abdullah AI-Ghafri, one of the most prominent social media figures, in the presence of important guests and media representatives.
In the fourth edition, awards were distributed among four entrepreneurs. Awarding two prizes for each of the two categories; ‘Best Project Plan’ category for promising project plans that can be successfully implemented and ‘Best Existing Project’ category for successful existing projects growing at fixed and acceptable rates, with the rewarding of successful entrepreneurs who have successfully completed their projects.
The projects were evaluated by a panel of judges who have expertise in the field of entrepreneurship, Amaal Bint Abdullatif AI Mannai, CEO of Qatar Foundation for Social Work (QFSW), Dr Nizam Mohammad Hindi, Assistant Vice President for Academic Planning and Development at Qatar University, Emad AI Khaja, CEO of Injaz Qatar, Reem AI Suwaidi, General Manager of Bedaya Center, Aysha AI Mudakha, CEO of Qatar Business Incubation Centre (QBIC), Dr Abdul Rahman Omar Hasna, Head of Projects and Shared Services -IT Department at Sidra Medical and Research Center, and Khalifa bin Jassim AI- Kuwari, board member at QFSW.
On this occasion, Maryam bint Abdullatif AI-Mannai, Community Services Manager Acting Executive Manager of NAMA Center, said:“ I extend my warmest congratulations to the winners, and wish them ongoing success. I would also like to thank QNB (the official sponsor), AI Bandary Real Estate (Golden Sponsor), Qatar Petrochemical Company “QAPCO” (Silver Sponsor) for their continued support and all those who contributed to the success of this event.”
