Young Arab Leaders forum tackles entrepreneurship needs

Panellists at the forum in Dubai encouraged businessmen and educational institutions in the Arab world to foster entrepreneurship - and act quickly.

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DUBAI // Panellists at the fifth annual Young Arab Leaders forum in Dubai yesterday encouraged businessmen and educational institutions in the Arab world to foster entrepreneurship - and act quickly.

Dr Sulaiman al Hattlan, the chief executive of the Arab Strategy Forum, told the first session of the two-day event: "We have to create six million work opportunities annually in the Arab world and 60 million jobs by 2020."

Abdul Aziz al Ghurair, the speaker of the Federal National Council and the chief executive of Mashreq Bank, highlighted the importance of acting quickly to help Arabs and Emirati youth to reach their potential.

"Most of the men who succeeded started from zero, but they persevered until they reached their goal," he said. "We should not fear failure as it is only the first step."

And Sheikh Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, chairman and founder of the Bin Zayed Group, said: "We have to address the stigma of failure in our culture and to teach youth that it is a learning experience."