Tawhid Abdullah awarded 'Best Entrepreneurial Mentor'

As the head of the leading jewellery retailer in the Middle East, Abdullah has recognized the need to train and prepare the next generation of leaders who will manage and oversee the country's flourishing jewellery industry. He has established strong linkage with the government and the private sector to provide a support system to young Emiratis planning to venture into jewellery design and manufacture.

On being given special distinction by the Mohammad Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders, Abdullah remarks, "I am deeply honored to receive this recognition. This awards programme is a clear demonstration of the strong commitment of the government of Dubai and the private sector in creating a critical mass of future business leaders who will steer the country towards continued prosperity and development. I encourage my colleagues in the business community to invest in the future by providing our full support to the country's young entrepreneurs."

Abdullah has over three decades of experience in the gold and jewellery trade and is instrumental in expanding the global sales network of Damas and establishing the distinct 'Damas' brand. He is joined by his two brothers in running the company, Tawfique Abdullah the Chairman of Damas Group and Tamjid Abdullah, Deputy Managing Director of Damas.

Tawhid Abdullah has strongly advocated the Emiratisation program of the government, an initiative that aims to increase the participation of Emiratis in the overall development of the country. He was instrumental in unifying the efforts of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders, Dubai Women's College and Damas Jewellery LLC in establishing the Advance Diploma in Jewellery Business and Management programme at the Dubai Women's College aimed at would-be jewellery entrepreneurs in the country.

Damas is funding the formal academic programme, and makes available its resources for on-the-job training and workshops for students. The course promotes entrepreneurship among students and provides a solid foundation which will enable them to set up and operate their own jewellery business.

"Our main goal is to inject new energy into the jewellery industry, which is one of the prime movers of the country's economy, and involve our young local entrepreneurs in the process. By establishing a highly-skilled talented human resource base, we sustain growth and development of the industry," Abdullah adds.

Tawhid Abdullah likewise spearheaded the creation of the Damas Student Scholarship Fund, an important sponsorship initiative developed jointly by Dubai Men's College and Damas to support the educational needs of deserving local students in the college. Under the agreement Damas will patronize the fund for an initial term of 10 years.

Abdullah's contribution to the jewellery trade in Dubai has seen him assume various positions in the industry including that of Managing Director of Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group and the President of Marketing Commission of CIBJO, the World Jewellery Confederation.

He was awarded the 'Best Businessman of the Year 2006' at the Arabian Business Awards, the most prestigious in the MENA region, in recognition of his outstanding achievements as entrepreneur.