Enterprise Qatar targets entrepreneurs and business owners with second wave of its SME Evolution Program

Organized in conjunction with Potential, Enterprise Qatar's partner and the designer of the program, the event was held at Al Sharq Villa & Spa on April 30 and provided delegates with the opportunity to register for the upcoming Arabic and English language tracks of the program. Attending the event were scores of Qatar-based and regional companies who all voiced their acclaim of Enterprise Qatar's highly significant initiative.

The event comprised a series of workshops and interactive sessions with academics, industry experts and local business people. The key topics included a session on Entrepreneurship and Leadership, a workshop on the needs of SMEs in Qatar, a session on the importance of customers for any business, and an introduction to the Arabic program.

The SME Evolution Program is one of Enterprise Qatar's first major initiatives aimed at improving the country's innovation ecosystem. A free, web-based training program for SMEs, the program's local sponsors include Qtel, QSTP, HSBC Bank and QInvest. The strategic partner is the GSDP and regional sponsors are AllWorld, Aramex, Google, Intel and Zawya.

Enterprise Qatar Deputy Project Director, Ms Noora Al Mannai, said, "After the considerable success of our first workshop earlier this month, Saturday's session helped expand on some of the themes introduced in that session in addition to highlighting a range of other topics that are critical to the success of any business."

"It was very exciting to see that delegates got the chance to register for our unique initiatives which are offered in both English and Arabic language and which we believe will go a long way to ensuring the SME Evolution Program is fully relevant to every business within Qatar's extensive SME community," she added.

Dr Saleh Al Naabet, of the General Secretariat of Development Planning, told workshop delegates, "In line with its mission to help chart a sustainable development path for Qatar, and the focus of the National Development Strategy on empowering the private sector and encouraging entrepreneurship as a means to create jobs and diversify the country's economy, GSDP firmly supports Enterprise Qatar's role to support the creation and expansion of SMEs."

Mr Shadi Banna, Managing Partner, Potential, said, "We are happy moving forward to Wave 2 in the series of workshops conducted for small and medium enterprises in Qatar. Following the launch of the programme in Qatar in association with Enterprise Qatar, our local partner, and other regional organisations, we are now visualizing the successful continuity of this programme based on the consistent number of SMEs approaching us and seeking to be part of the SME Evolution Program."

"We believe that the SME sector in Qatar holds as many opportunities as challenges due to the diversified business landscape and an initiative such as the SME Evolution Program can serve as the appropriate catalyst for driving the sector," he added.

Eng. Khalid Abdulla Al-Mansouri, Executive Director of Business Solutions, Qtel, said, "Qtel continues to work with Enterprise Qatar to help grow the skills base and knowledge resources of small and medium businesses in Qatar. With an enhanced array of specialist communication products available, including IP telephony, business Broadband and reliable mobility solutions, Qtel aims to be the preferred provider of communication services for companies in Qatar. Our support for entrepreneurship programs like this weekend's workshop is a part of this integrated strategy."

"As the leading emerging markets bank, HSBC is perfectly positioned to support the growth in the SME sector in Qatar, focusing on those with cross-border banking needs. The technology-based format of this event is addressing the growing needs of the next-generation entrepreneurs who rely on the on-line environment as a key tool for business success. The Enterprise Qatar platform is succeeding in this goal," said Mr Fadi Fattal, Head of CMB Qatar.

Mr Anuj Khanna, Head of Investment Management at QInvest, said, "Workshops like the one being coordinated by Enterprise Qatar can go along with guiding, enhancing and inspiring business leaders on how to harness the resources provided by Enterprise Qatar and its partners in this initiative".

Khanna added, "Knowledge of business planning, HR management, capital raising, financing, marketing & branding are all essential to any success in the SME arena."

Mr Mohamed Mansour A. Al-Sharshani, GM of Al-Tharwa Trad. & Services Co. said, "EQ is a key supporter of our industry and a vital factor behind the success of such SME-focused initiatives. Most SMEs and business entrepreneurs lack the necessary business knowledge that is crucial for the success of any business. This is why the SME Evolution Program is very important as it provides a great learning platform for everyone."

Mr Bilal Sabir, Manager at Q Solutions said, "The people behind EQ have shown nothing but extreme support. Events similar to the SME Evolution Program provide a very useful networking opportunity that fosters productive business dialogue. it is also important that we get exposed to the right financing opportunities in addition to having access to large organizations where we can be of benefit. This will help build a strong working relationship between SMEs and established corporations."

Paul Junior Tuta, Business Manager at Proxiji said, "EQ is offering a fantastic opportunity to support SMEs and preside over their future. The SME Evolution Program is designed to assist business managers and prepare them for a long and lucrative road of success. A lot of different partnerships can be started here with valuable contributions for the future of the industry. I would like EQ to keep on pushing the development of SMEs in Qatar and we're confident it'll play a significant role for growth."

Through the SME Evolution Program and more, Enterprise Qatar is leading a new phase of development for SMEs to create a more diversified knowledge-based economy in Qatar.

The aim is to support SMEs in Qatar to improve their capabilities in areas such as management, business development, human resources and online marketing. EQ's aim is to chart a sustainable development path for SMEs in Qatar, and empower the private sector to encourage entrepreneurship to create jobs and diversify the country's economy by creating and expanding SMEs.

Enterprise Qatar was established by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, to act as the catalyst and principle driver of Qatar's Entrepreneurial spirit by assisting SMEs and entrepreneurs through various programs and products tailored to meet their specific needs.

Enterprise Qatar also seeks to help innovators realize and grow their projects by building a network of partnerships between new businesses and experienced managers and businessmen in both the public and private sectors.