Would-be magnates gather in capital

Emiratis can make things happen, says one young businessman, whose team's plan for an indoor football centre has won a $20,000 grant

From left, Rashid Ahmed al Jumairi, Fabio Dias, Bianca Gentil and Abdulrahman bin Thalith were named winners of the Global Business Opportunities contest at the Global Youth Forum in Abu Dhabi. Lee HoShow more

ABU DHABI // Abdulrahman bin Thalith, 26, suffered from a lack of self-confidence.

He believed that people who studied in Europe and the United States were more qualified to enter the business world, and was uncertain about his professional future.

But then, two years ago, the Emirati enrolled in a competition that taught people to think and act like entrepreneurs.

"The whole experience made me see things differently," he said. "I became good at representing myself and learning where I added value to the team. I believed in myself in a way I never had before."

Mr bin Thalith's newfound confidence was the result of his participation in the Global Business Opportunities contest, which is sponsored by the corporate social responsibility department of Al Ahli Holdings of Dubai.

In March, as part of the contest, he travelled to Brazil and teamed up with young Brazilians to create a workable business idea. He and his teammates - Rashid Ahmed al Jumairi, 26, also an Emirati, and Bianca Gentil, 22, and Fabio Dias, 26, both Brazilians - were last night named the winners of the contest at the Global Youth Forum, a conference sponsored by the British Council and Al Ahli Holdings. The team won a grant worth US$20,000 (Dh73,460) they can use to help turn their idea - an indoor football centre - into reality.

"We want to show people that as Emiratis we don't just have a lot of oil which has made us lazy, that we can make things happen and it doesn't matter what gets in our way," he said.

The two-day forum, which began yesterday, includes a series of workshops and panel discussions led by experts from a variety of business sectors. Juan Costa Climent, a Spaniard who once served as that country's minister of science and technology, made one of the opening speeches at the forum.

"Small and medium enterprises are the way in which you can lead the future," he said, addressing the audience at the National Centre for Documentation and Research.

"You have to accept the idea that you are the people who will change the future of this planet and you have to focus on your dream and take steps towards it."

The audience was filled with students from across the Emirates and a handful of young people from the UK, Jordan and Bahrain.

Melanie Relton, the British Council's regional vocational education manager, said helping young Emiratis was the forum's main goal.

"The world is getting smaller," she said. "In this region particularly, there needs to be a shift towards diversification of industry through small-business development. It is a priority for us to showcase international young talent, but also to bring people together and encourage young Emiratis to influence the path of their future."

Nouf al Hermi, 23, a Bahraini who runs an online clothing store, attended the forum to learn how to expand her business. She said operating a small business is hard work, but stressed that young people in the UAE should make the most of their opportunities.

"I set up my own business because I wanted independence. My website has paid for my university degree and enabled me to take responsibility for my life," she said. "I think in other countries, like the UAE and Jordan, they have more help for funds for small businesses. I would encourage anyone to start something up."

Another forum participant, Tom Watkins, 18, who won a British entrepreneurship contest called Make Your Mark, said it was a great opportunity for him to be able to make business connections in the UAE.

"There was a time 50 years ago when people wouldn't necessarily trade with others abroad, but now the world is truly international," said Mr Watkins, who is studying maths and economics at Exeter University.

"It is vital to make these connections. I have met lots of people already and I hope they will help me in the future."