Dubai to host world's biggest gathering of entrepreneurs and business leaders

The UAE's first International Entrepreneurship Forum & Exhibition (IEFE) - Entrepreneurs in Dubai - will feature some of the biggest names in global business, including international property tycoon Donald Trump, Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the man who founded the no-frills Easy Jet airline, The Body Shop initiator Dame Anita Roddick and Sir Chris Evans, Britain's most colourful biotech entrepreneur.

They head up an unrivalled line up of global business men and women who will address IEFE from May 22 - 25, 2005 at Dubai International Exhibition Centre (DIEC).

IEFE is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Board, Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders and organised in co-operation with IIR Middle East and Young Arab Leaders (YAL), an organisation aimed at transforming the Arab World and aiding its effective integration into the global economy by building its young leadership base. It is endorsed by the United Nations Conference On Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and oil giant Shell Markets Middle East and business solutions and services consultants Deloitte are headline sponsors.

'This will be the most influential gathering of international entrepreneurs ever seen in this region and will provide the audience with in-depth insights into the challenges facing start-up enterprises and advice on means of solving them and staying in business,' said Jessica Sutherland, General Manager, IIR Exhibitions and Conferences Middle East.

The event is open to everyone involved in business and aims to promote an entrepreneurial spirit among young GCC national business men and women, spurring them on to set up their own small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).

More than 1,500 delegates from all four corners of the world are expected to participate at the Forum to listen to case studies from over 30 of the world's and the region's most renowned business men and women and get in touch with at least 150 international companies which will showcase their products and services at the associated exhibition.

The Forum will tackle burning issues and problems for young entrepreneurs regionwide. Other issues to be tabled for discussion include funding and financing of SME businesses, globalisation in relation to entrepreneurship as well as a look at the world's youngest entrepreneurs.

'Entrepreneurship is the source that creates dynamic business environments and a growth driver with the power to sustain high level economic development and prosperity,' said Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO, Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders.

'The presence of some of the world's and the region's most respected and prestigious business men and women in the upcoming Forum in Dubai will inspire the business ambitions of the young Arab community and fuel further and sustainable growth which will benefit the individuals, their immediate environment and, ultimately, the region.'

'The establishment of SMEs has had considerable impact on employment throughout the world, particularly in Asia and with the Arab World facing an unemployment level of 26 million within the next four years, according to the IMF, the development of entrepreneurs is an essential factor in combating this problem.' said Al Janahi.

According to the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation Group (APEC), SMEs currently make up well over 90% of all enterprises within Asia Pacific and account for between 32% to 84% of employment in some countries.

'At IEFE we will learn from the lessons of entrepreneurs around the world in the hope of not just spurring on our own populations but in encouraging the support networks of finances and services to join in assisting the development of SMEs,' added Al Janahi.

IEFE highlights will include: a presentation by Anita Roddick on the secrets of successful entrepreneurship, an overview of the eight keys underlying entrepreneurial success, delivered by Gary Hoover, founder of Hoovers.com, the world's largest Internet-based enterprise information provider, which was bought in 2003 for US$ 117 million, just four years after going public and a presentation by Debbi Fields, of Mrs Fields' Cookies, one of the USA's most successful dessert empires with products now being sold in over 1,600 destinations.

Shell Markets Middle East says its sponsorship of the event reflects its belief that entrepreneurship is crucial to economic development.

'Entrepreneurship and a spirit of innovation and enterprise are vital components in the growth of national economies,' said Hussain Al Mahmoudi, External Affairs Manager, Shell Markets Middle East. 'We need to identify those who have these leadership qualities at an early age and then help them to fulfil their ambitions.

'This event, we believe, will show budding entrepreneurs just what can be achieved and give them the inspiration to turn their aspirations into reality for the benefit of the whole society in this region.'

One of the world's most watched and most quoted businessmen, Donald Trump, Chairman and President, The Trump Organisation, is scheduled for a video cast appearance to present a case study of immense interest to the entire business community.

'Mr Trump is known for his no-nonsense approach and the audience can look forward to an intensely informative and no doubt entertaining case study,' said Sutherland.

Other confirmed speakers include: Kenneth P. Morse, Managing Director, MIT Entrepreneurship Centre; Sir Tom Farmer, Founder and Former Chairman, Kwik-Fit Holdings plc; Denis O'Brien, Founder, Esat Telecom Group and Chairman Digicel Group Ltd; Eckart Wintzen, Founder, BSO/Origin; Max McKeown, Founder & Chairman, Maverick & Strong; Robert Brozin, Founder, Nando's; H.E. Sh. Khaled bin Zayed Al Nehayan, Founder and Chairman, Bin Zayed Group of Companies. Other speakers include Fadi Ghandour, founder of the Middle East courier group Aramex, Lebanese fashion guru, Elie Saab, Liz Jackson, the founder and marketing director of Great Guns Marketing, Ola Ahlvarsson, CEO and co-founder of Result.com, Dr. Reuben Singh, the Chairman and Chief Executive of alldayPA.com and Britain's Ambassador for entrepreneurship and Sir Chris Evans - the science guru who left behind ordinary working class roots in Wales to become a multi-millionaire.

'These speakers have compelling stories to tell of how they made it to the top, often in the face of great adversity,' said Sutherland. 'IEFE offers a one-stop solution to finding out what it takes to succeed in the tough world of entrepreneurship.

'This event will also position Dubai at the forefront of entrepreneurial development locally, regionally and internationally. Another key goal is to see the region invest a higher percentage of its GDP in financing entrepreneurship, following hard on the heels of countries such as China, New Zealand and Spain which have taken a clear lead in the promotion of the SME sector. The Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment has already set up a Dhs 700 million (US $ 191 million) Islamic Fund to provide capital for new entrepreneurs,' added Sutherland.

Meanwhile, the IEFE exhibition will provide exhibitors and visitors with an opportunity of unparalleled value for business and their future growth. It will be a platform for the exchange of ideas and visions between prospective investors and partners across the globe.

It will consist of two main categories which complement each other; Regional and International SMEs and SME product and service providers.

'It's a win-win situation for anyone involved, from those considering selling, buying or starting a new business and established business owners and managers to venture capitalists, international and regional government and NGO representatives, technology service providers and those interested in becoming entrepreneurs,' said Sutherland.

'Entrepreneurship in the developing markets also stands to benefit as a result with 25% of the revenues derived from the IEFE going to a charitable organisation which supports such initiatives.'

The event kicks off on Sunday 22nd May with a welcome evening reception and conference pre-registration. It will be officially inaugurated the following morning by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The welcome address will be delivered by the Rt. Hon The Lord Laidlaw of Rothiemay, Chairman, IIR & Founder of the Laidlaw Youth Project, - a programme which befriends and mentors disadvantaged children in Scotland.

The opening day will continue with presentations by Dame Anita Roddick, Gary Hoover, Kenneth P. Morse, Denis O'Brien, Dr. Reuben Singh and Robert Brozin. A series of moderated open panel discussions will wrap up the day which will culminate in a gala dinner.

The second day will dawn with Donald Trump's 'The Art of the Comeback' live video-cast appearance and will continue with presentations by Tom Hunter, Chairman of both West Coast Capital and The Hunter Foundation, Max Mckeown, Sir Christopher Evans, Sir Tom Farmer, Eckart Wintzen and Ola Ahlvarsson.

The final day will open with a key note address by Leyla Khaiat, President, FCEM, the World Association of Women Entrepreneurs. Debbi Fields and Liz Jackson will then deliver their case studies 'Making it against all odds' and 'if you think you can' respectively.

The organisers have now launched a web-site for the event - www.entrepreneursindubai.com - which offers the chance to win a free place at the event simply by signing up for regular updates.

The International Entrepreneurship Forum and Exhibition has attracted AME Info, Flip Media and Gulf Business as Media Partners. Entry to the exhibition will be free-of-charge to visitors.