Entrepreneurial success and support initiatives honoured at 8th ‘Mohammed Bin Rashid Award for Young Business Leaders’
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18-May-2015
His Highnesses Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum honours 24 establishments and Entrepreneurial Personality of the Year for driving SME excellence in UAE and the Arab world
Dubai, 18 May 2015: Establishments and individuals demonstrating leadership in entrepreneurial excellence and support initiatives in the UAE and across the Arab world were honoured at the 8th Mohammed Bin Rashid Award for Young Business Leaders (YBL) ceremony held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, at the Dubai World Trade Centre today.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, honoured 22 public and private sector organisations and outstanding projects, along with the 'Entrepreneurial Personality of the Year' at the ceremony organized by Dubai SME, the agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai mandated to develop the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector.
The Kafala – SME Finance Guarantee Program (Best Entrepreneurship Fund Initiative), Wafi (Best Entrepreneurship Shopping Mall), Emirates Group (Best Supporting Entity to the Government Procurement Program - Private), Jumeirah Group (Top Contracts Provider to small and medium-sized national companies) and Union Co-operative Society (Best Supporting Entity for small and medium-sized national projects – Private) won special awards for their support to SMEs along with Tarifa Al Zaabi (Entrepreneurial Personality of the Year – Female) and Ahmed Al Mazroei (Entrepreneurial Personality of the Year – Male).
Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (Best Supporting Entity to the Government Procurement Program – Medium size), Dubai Municipality (Best Supporting Entity to the Government Procurement Program – Small size), ENOC – Emirates National Oil Company (Best Supporting Entity to the Government Procurement Program – Semi-Government), Higher Colleges of Technology – Women (Best University Promoting Entrepreneurship), Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein Public School for Girls (Best School Promoting Entrepreneurship) and Leading Steps Initiative – Ishraqat Club (Best Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative Promoting Entrepreneurship) were honored in the 'Supporting Organizations within the UAE – Gold' category.
Salma's Chocolates from Oman (Trading – Best Start-up) and Expo Logistic Services from Saudi Arabia (Services – Best Small Enterprise) were honored in the Silver category for SME Projects within Arab World.
In the Silver category for SME Projects within the UAE Easy Lease Motorcycle Rental (Services – Best Established), IXTEL and D&A Consult (joint winners in Services – Best Start-up category), Fujairah Auction (Trading – Best Start-up), Massaed Installation of Elevators and Dimara International (joint winners in the Trading – Best Established category), G2day (Best Project in Clothing), Gardens 1971 (Best Project in Young Entrepreneur Competition) and Solar Palm Bio Fuel (Best Innovative Project in Young Entrepreneur Competition) were the winners.
Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of Dubai SME, thanked His Highness Sheikh Mohammed for his continued support and patronage for the Awards and the SME community in the UAE and Arab world and said: "His Highness's patronage and guidance helps Dubai SME to support our youth to evolve and excel as entrepreneurs and make their mark in all sectors of economic activity."
Ibtihal Al Naji, General Co-Ordinator of YBL said the increasing participation in the Award demonstrates its importance as a measure SME performance and entrepreneur support in the region. "We had entries from over 490 companies in 13 Arab countries in this 8th cycle of the Award. YBL has cemented its position as the premier award for establishments and individuals adding value to the region's SME environment. The winners also underline the role of the Award in promoting entrepreneurship across diverse sectors and in sustaining entrepreneurial growth."