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Hisham Aljundi
Doha
NAMA centre of Qatar Foundation for Social Work (QFSW) honoured four Qatari entrepreneurs with 'Reyada Award' during a function held under the patronage of Minister of Economy and Commerce HE Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohammed al Thani at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre in Doha on Sunday.
The 'Reyada Award', launched by NAMA Centre, is considered the leading programme that encourages entrepreneurial ventures in Qatar and celebrates Qatar's entrepreneurs their supporting institutions through recognition and rewards. The target group consists of young male and female Qatari entrepreneurs, in the age group of 18 to 45.
Azza Salah, a Qatari entrepreneur and co-founder of 'Sky Climbers' initiative, won the golden award for 'Best Existing Project' category. Salah, who got QR100,000 as the prize money, told Qatar Tribune that her hard work finally paid off.
Saad Qahtani received the silver award and prize money of QR50,000 for his tech-project 'Fi'.
Under the 'Best Project Plan' category, Fatima Ansary received the Gold Award and QR100,000 for her project 'Rawaq'. Talking to Qatar Tribune, Fatima said,"This award has changed many things and gave us credibility which will boost our business and increase awareness about our project."
She said her project focused on spreading book reading culture in Qatar and the Arab region in general.
Mohammed Haddad received the silver award in addition to QR50,000 for his project 'Videology'.
Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Ahmed said Qatar has placed entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at top of its strategic priorities.
The minister said that Qatar plans to implement a host of programmes and policies that promote a constructive partnership with the private sector.
He said the state was keen on supporting young entrepreneurs in economic development by encouraging them to take initiative and by providing a suitable environment for innovation.
The minister then moved to discuss the legal and legislative frameworks that contributed to developing the business environment in the country. He also discussed the initiatives made by the ministry to create an attractive investment environment for SMEs.
The minister highlighted the launch of the single window for investors, and the economic zones of Manateq logistics which aimed to lower operating costs for investors.
The minister also highlighted efforts made to diversify Qatar's economy and enhance its competitiveness. He 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.
Commenting on 'Reyada Award', the minister said that it was one of the most important national initiatives that promote entrepreneurship among young people and encourage them to innovate. He thanked 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.
Speaking on the occasion, NAMA Acting CEO Maryam al Mannai said,"Fostering entrepreneurship among Qatari youth is our priority, as youth constitute the vital force qualified to lead the development on the social and economic levels. It is important to leverage their potential and utilise it to achieve the desired goals."
"We support their creative ideas, embrace their ambitious projects as well as provide them all the financial, training and marketing needs, in order to help them assume the status they deserve in the economic landscape of Qatar, through integrating them into the market and finding the appropriate channels to display and market their products," Mannai said.
