Young people from around the world enjoy networking opportunity in Abu Dhabi.

Al Ahli Holding Group CSR Division in partnership with the British Council hosted The Global Youth Forum last week.

Bringing together young, future entrepreneurs from around the globe – Jordan, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, the United Kingdom and one hundred Emirati students – the forum focused on developing their entrepreneurial skills.
Rajeeb Day, CEO Enternships.com and visiting speaker said: “I think in this day and age, when we’re seeing so much graduate and youth unemployment, that it’s important for young people to see entrepreneurship as a viable career path.

“I’m here because I want to tell these young people that they shouldn’t be afraid to give it a go. When you’re young you have the ability to try something. If it doesn’t work out that’s not a problem, you can start again and learn from your mistakes.

“The cost of starting up has come down dramatically. If you are starting an online venture, you can literally work from your bedroom, and that company can be the next Google, the next Facebook or the next Twitter.

“It’s also really important that they network and take these opportunities to meet people from around the world, who may be future contacts, future suppliers and future customers,” said Day.

Jess Evans had traveled all the way from Plymouth, UK, for the event.

“I’m hoping to learn more about small businesses, and how they operate. I think it’s also a great opportunity to network. As they say: ‘It’s not what you know; it’s who you know’.”

“I was excited to come and take part as I’ve never been to Abu Dhabi before,” said Salman Ali from Bahrain.

“I’m here to network. I have a few ideas about how to develop my own business.

“One idea is to run a Suit Up business. CEOs and the like are often too busy to go to a tailor and have a suit made, so we go to them, to their office, take their measurements and bring the finished suit back to their office!”