Global Business Opportunities winners announced

His Excellency Ruben Eduardo Caro, Ambassador for Argentina in the UAE and Mr Mohamed Khammas, CEO of the Al Ahli Holding Group, were pleased to award the company members of Madeenaty the first place in the inaugural competition.

Under the direction of the CSR Division of the Al Ahli Holding Group and the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the inaugural Global Business Opportunities (GBO) initiative launched in May this year, was a direct result of the vision and statement from His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President & Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for the young generation of the UAE and the Arab World.

Business leaders of the UAE and Argentinean business communities turned out last night, joining His Excellency Ruben Eduardo Caro and Mr Mohamed Khammas, in recognition of their appreciation of the 20 participating Arab and Argentinean students involved in this year's first initiative.

Ana Hadad, CEO of the winning company Madeenaty, said "this has been a life changing experience for me and my peers - we have been given the opportunity of a lifetime.

"Thanks to the vision and commitment of the CSR division of the Al Ahli Holding Group and the belief, in us, of the supporting partners of the Global Business Opportunities initiative we have learnt invaluable life and business lessons and from these lessons we have all grown up a lot more. With the tools and intensive training sessions provided over the last six months, we are now more ready and equipped to take on the business world." Ms Hadad Added.

The four company members of the Madeenaty, made up of two local Arab and two Argentinean students, will regroup in Dubai in December to begin hardest part of the process to date - to put their business plan into action.

First prize won them the unlimited support of the Arab Business Angels Network (ABAN).

Through ABAN the Madeenaty company members will be offered expert advice and introductions to the some of the UAE's top power players as possible investors.

In brief, Madeenaty meaning 'My City', is a plan to create a scale city for children to experience being adults while intermingling with different cultures and lifestyles. Through a variety of tools and educational elements children will be given a first hand experience of living in other cities around the world while having fun.

GBO is the first of the AAHG's Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, with plans in partnerships already in place to continue again and again in years to come


Mohamed Khammas, CEO AAHG said,

"It is our aim to lead by example and show the private sector what can be achieved with active and actual social responsibility. Through our dedicated CSR division it is our aim to develop Emirati youth, building their skills and widening their horizons and exposure. To achieve this we work with passion, honesty and integrity, using the power of partnership and co-operation with organizations such as Junior Achievement Argentina who we believe can support us in providing the Arab youth with the skills and knowledge needed to become the business leaders of tomorrow."

The Global Business Opportunities Initiative aims to provide opportunities for Arab youths aged 18 to 25 to gain exposure to systemized training and an international business environment.

The programme enabled them to learn from South American and Emirati corporate leaders, communicate with business peers from a different culture and community, network on a global level, and hone their entrepreneurial skills. In addition, the 20 youths also get to attend an international entrepreneurship conference with 600 international participants.

This encouragement is invaluable in giving the next generation the confidence and tools to take business to the next level," said Khammas.