The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) has started to receive the first batch of the trainees at the SME Centre (TIJARAH 101), one of the SCCI’s initiatives which is recently launched on the sidelines of the 6th edition of the GCC HR & Labor Market Conference. The first of its kind center across the country and GCC region aims to empower youth entrepreneurs by developing a conducive SME work environment, raising production efficiency, promoting entrepreneurial projects, and establishing effective partnerships to serve the mutual interests of companies to pave the way for a work environment supportive to the establishment of new projects. This is in line with the country’s approach in terms of developing local investments by providing all the support for launching innovative entrepreneurial projects. Supporting and Motivating Youth HE Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said: “TIJARAH 101 Initiative is part of SCCI’s keenness on supporting and motivating youth to engage in commercial and economic business and to find a positive work environment to help enhance the sustainable development in society.” “These efforts are in line with the wise vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in terms of strengthening entrepreneurial projects environment in the Emirate of Sharjah, and opening up investment areas to all entrepreneurs, in accordance with the UAE Vision 2021, through which the UAE looks forward to being one of the world’s best countries in the entrepreneurship,” added Al Owais. He went on saying: “The Emirate of Sharjah has paid great attention and support to the SME business owners and entrepreneurs in view of the strategic value of this sector in the national economy and its great support to the GDP, as well as its contribution to providing market labor with job opportunities for young people.” “To that end, the SCCI has developed the proper and necessary environment and legislation to ensure the sustainable development of the entrepreneurship sector. Also, the SCCI has launched several projects for entrepreneurship and SME business owners in training, rehabilitation and finance fields to help them penetrate the labor market and establish their own entrepreneurial projects, in addition to providing support and advice to youth investors through various initiatives such as Sharjah Training & Development Center” and “Sharjah Excellence Award” and many more,” he explained. The Best Destination Mona Omran Ali, Director of the SME Center, SCCI, said: “The SME Center is witnessing remarkable participation from the ambitious, talented and innovative youth to join the available training programs. In the first phase, the Center will train 10 young women and men in specific disciplines including managing and organizing exhibitions, auditing, tax collection, translation, e-commerce, hospitality, design, and design photography.” Several other benefits will be provided by the SME Center with the aim of boosting cooperation between SME institutions and local and international markets. This would help place the SME Center to be the best destination for business owners to establish and develop their own business, whether through the engagement in the local business environment or through the development of cooperation with foreign markets. A Good Opportunity will be given to the SME Center Graduates “A lot of jobs will be abandoned by the SCCI by January 2022 to pave the way for the SME Center graduates. For example, 35% of the private sector exhibitions management will be given to the Center graduates, as well as the hospitality and the tax collection sectors,” said Mona Omran, pointing out that the SCCI has recently signed a cooperation agreement with a global company to train the SME Center students on the latest international systems in this sector, so as to carry out their businesses in accordance with the best internationally approved practices. “This initiative comes as part of the SCCI’s role and strategy, as the first representative of business community in the Emirate of Sharjah and its commitment to social responsibility principles, as well as to support all the training activities and programs that would help advance the business sector, especially for young people,” she noted. With the aim of motivating the SME business environment whether, in Sharjah or the UAE or the GCC, the TIJARAH 101 is one of the most important initiatives for encouraging entrepreneurs and novice investors to establish and develop their businesses, through the provision of commercial offices, through which the SME Center graduates could initiate their business. Also, several advantages are provided by the SME Center to help affiliated enterprises achieve development and growth. This includes; conferences, seminars, workshops, exhibitions, marketing, and administrative consulting, awards, training programs, media and advertising coverage, meeting rooms, and legal advice.