Sharjah for Capability Development (SCD) a subsidiary of the Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Leaders and Innovators, and Sharjah Foundation to Support Pioneering Entrepreneurs (Ruwad Establishment), recently met with New Zealand’s government officials to explore avenues of joint cooperation in the fields related to the professional and economic development of the UAE’s local youth.

The meeting was held as part of joint efforts by SCD and Ruwad Establishment to invest in the country’s future generations by giving them access to avenues that will enhance their contribution to the UAE’s goals of sustainable development.

The meeting touched on the longstanding bilateral relations between the Emiratis and Kiwis in economy, culture and science, and discussed how these can be furthered to realise the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to benefit and empower the nation’s youth.  

New Zealand welcomed the opportunity to engage as it sees real potential for collaboration with the Government of Sharjah owing to the excellent work being done in the emirate to develop policies around youth, education and innovation.

Attending the meeting were HE Jassem Al Blooshi, Member of the Board of Trustees of Rubu’ Qarn Foundation, and HE Raghda Taryam, Board Member of Ruwad Establishment, as well as Lisa Clarke Watson, G2G Partnership Manager of New Zealand Government, and Simeon Berry, Commercial Manager of New Zealand Government.

Ways to exchange best practices in the SME sector and how to utilise New Zealand’s successful experiences in this field – given that New Zealand has topped the World Bank’s 2017 Doing Business Report – was a focus of the meeting.

Best practices in supporting and empowering women and the importance of equipping them with 21st-century youth skills was also touched upon. The Kiwis were introduced to the role SCD and Ruwad Establishment play in offering capability-development programmes to the youth, and funding opportunities they offer to several start-ups by young entrepreneurs.

The proposed visit by SCD and Ruwad Establishment representatives to New Zealand to get acquainted with the learning methodologies applied to nurture the country’s adolescent youth and to adopt those in a way to suit the UAE’s learning landscape was one of the meeting’s discussion highlights.

HE Jassem Al Blooshi said: “SCD strives to foster the personal, professional and administrative skills of youth, highlight the socioeconomic impact of young people in society, and further their professional contributions to Sharjah and the UAE. We continually seek to improve our pedagogy with the international best practices, so as to developing our local experience in a way that can offer the very best in the training and development of the youth, while maintaining its uniqueness in keeping with the UAE’s needs at present and in the future.”

He added: “New Zealand has vast experience in the management of youth, and has been doing exceptionally well in optimally investing in their potential. We have sought through this meeting to augment our ties with New Zealand’s government in order to strengthen the achievements of our future generations, and make a positive impact on their lives as well as their communities. This approach is in line with our vision to build a promising generation of who can creatively contribute to furthering progress and achieving sustainable development in the country. "

HE Raghda Taryam, Board Member of Ruwad Establishment, said: “The SMEs sector is one of the most important and vital sectors in the UAE, which is home to more than 400,000 SMEs contributing 60 percent to the nation's GDP – a figure that is expected to increase to 70 percent by 2021. Capitalising on this, Ruwad Establishment seeks to enrich the local market with a selection of innovative pioneering projects to be set up and run by young Emirati entrepreneurs by providing them with financial and moral support to join more than successful 55,000 small and medium businesses in Sharjah.”

She added: “New Zealand is ranked first globally in the ease of doing business, and is also an incubator for youth-owned enterprises. This meeting opens a window allowing us to gain a deeper insight into New Zealand’s experience and its strengths, so as to make the most of it in strengthening our local experience and taking it to greater heights. We constantly look forward to develop our bilateral relations, especially in the area of supporting, motivating and empowering young people.”

Sharjah for Capability Development (SCD) is dedicated to providing young people with the knowledge and skills, and bolster the relationship between community leaders and different sectors in the areas of business, management and entrepreneurship to boost Sharjah’s competitive edge as a leading hub for business, education, culture and tourism in the region. SCD aims to elevate the efficiency of youth through various programmes that are tailored specifically to meet requirements for future development plans in Sharjah.

Ruwad Establishment provides consultancy and financial services, training programmes and workshops for young Emirati entrepreneurs who want to establish their own business. It also provides a membership programme that offers its members a package of privileges, including exemption from government fees plus 10 percent of government procurement for Ruwad Establishment’s members and direct funding, among many others.