Saleh Fareed

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The Jeddah Entrepreneurship Week 2014 will be held for the first time to inspire young Saudis through local, national and global activities designed to help them explore their potential as self-starters and innovators, according to officials of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).



In a press conference at the chamber’s premises on Monday, Ziad Al-Bassam, JCCI vice chairman, announced that the country’s largest entrepreneurship-focused campaign would be launched from Feb. 17-24 with the support of JCCI and the government and private sectors under the theme of “Searching for more opportunities”.



He said: “This unique event occurs over the span of one week and includes the participation of entrepreneurial experts, policy-makers, education practitioners and self-development trainers through more than 50 activities with the participation of 200 young Saudis.”



According to Al-Bassam, the Jeddah Entrepreneurship Week aims to expose people to the benefits of entrepreneurship through different activities and to motivate them to explore their own entrepreneurial ideas.



Adnan H. Mandourah, secretary general of the JCCI, said: “After months packed with many local activities and festival, the JCCI is introducing the first of its kind week for young entrepreneurs who are looking for better opportunities.”



He said the JCCI has organized around 800 annual events and Jeddah Entrepreneurship Week will be among the most important.



He said Jeddah Entrepreneurship Week is the country’s largest campaign to promote entrepreneurship.



The event will play a critical role in encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs to consider starting up their own business, he said.



“Our aim is to create a collaborative, local and practical week that enables people to learn more about the support that is available to entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia,” he said.



The week's activities will focus on entrepreneurial ideas and experiences that should further establish the Kingdom's role as a regional entrepreneurship hub.



“Preparations for the country's largest single event for innovation, entrepreneurship, and creativity are on the way and we are only a few days away from its launch,” said Mandourah.



He said the week would be marked by an exhibition for various young entrepreneurs who will share their experiences and showcase their products and services.



The week will include an exhibition, lectures, training sessions and seminars to be held in various venues across the city.



Fouzi Khiat, head of the Young Entrepreneurs Exhibition, said the organizing committee has addressed various ministers and well-known speakers to share their experience with young Saudis.



“We are expecting at least six Saudi ministers to take part in this exhibition to inspire and motivate these young men and women,” he said.



The event concludes with an awards ceremony to honor outstanding young entrepreneurs.