Summary:
The International Trade Centre's (ITC) SheTrades Initiative, Visa, and the Qatar Fintech Hub (QFTH) have partnered to launch a program aimed at supporting youth and women entrepreneurs in Kuwait and Qatar.
This initiative, called 'Small Steps to Success,' provides a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on enhancing entrepreneurial skills, digital engagement, innovation, and soft skills.
The program creates a supportive environment for young and female entrepreneurs through personalized peer-to-peer sessions and networking opportunities.
The initiative actively engages with financial institutions to promote inclusive practices and offers financial literacy training to aspiring entrepreneurs.
The GCC region is witnessing a surge in youth and women-led SMEs, making them crucial contributors to economic growth.
This program leverages the power of digital inclusion to foster growth and opportunities for young and female entrepreneurs.
Empowering Entrepreneurs in the GCC: A New Initiative Takes Shape
The International Trade Centre's (ITC) SheTrades Initiative, Visa, and the Qatar Fintech Hub (QFTH) have teamed up to launch a new program aimed at supporting youth and women entrepreneurs in Kuwait and Qatar. This initiative, called 'Small Steps to Success,' provides a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on enhancing entrepreneurial skills, digital engagement, innovation, and soft skills.
Key Objectives of the Program:
- Nurturing an Ecosystem: The program creates a supportive environment for young and female entrepreneurs through personalized peer-to-peer sessions and networking opportunities.
- Elevating Female Entrepreneurship: The initiative actively engages with financial institutions to promote inclusive practices and offers financial literacy training to aspiring entrepreneurs.
- Capitalizing on Regional Growth: The GCC region is witnessing a surge in youth and women-led SMEs, making them crucial contributors to economic growth.
- Digital Inclusion as a Catalyst: This program leverages the power of digital inclusion to foster growth and opportunities for young and female entrepreneurs.
In Qatar, the partnership with QFTH will provide support to early-stage entrepreneurs and FinTech startups, leveraging QFTH's role in the Qatari FinTech ecosystem.
Dr. Hamad Salem Mejegheer, QDB's Executive Director of Advisory & Incubation, highlights the initiative's alignment with QDB's vision to foster entrepreneurial success and establish Qatar as a leading fintech hub. This strategy contributes to the nation's Third National Development Strategy and broader economic diversification goals.
Shashank Singh, Visa's VP and General Manager for Qatar and Kuwait, emphasizes the partnership's goal of equipping young and female entrepreneurs with the skills and networks they need to succeed in the digital economy. He highlights the transformative potential of digital inclusion in driving widespread growth and opportunities.
Pamela Coke-Hamilton, ITC Executive Director, explains the initiative's objectives, stating that it aims to empower women and youth with online business courses, networking, and financing opportunities to drive innovation and sustainability in Qatar and Kuwait.
The program is now open for applications, offering selected participants support in identifying business growth challenges and opportunities. Participants gain access to an e-learning package encompassing e-commerce strategies, sustainable business practices, and financial readiness, all geared towards empowering entrepreneurs to develop their businesses further.
Interested young and women-led businesses are encouraged to apply for this enriching opportunity.
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