Twenty teams of young entrepreneurs from across the Mena region will compete in the 10th annual Injaz Al-Arab Young Arab Entrepreneurs Competition which opened today in Bahrain.

Being held under the patronage of Shaikh Isa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, chairman of the Waqf Isa bin Salman Educational Charity, the event is organised by Injaz Al-Arab, a member of Junior Achievement Worldwide (JA), in coordination with Injaz Bahrain.

The event will be attended by over 400 guests at the Art Rotana Hotel in Amwaj, where the competition will run until November 24.

Injaz Bahrain executive director Shaikha Hessa Bint Khalifa Al Khalifa said: “Bahrain is proud to act as host for the 10th edition of the Young Arab Entrepreneurs Competition, and is thrilled to welcome our teams from across the region. We hope students will utilise this opportunity that celebrates young people’s vision of future businesses and enjoy their time. We look forward to their final presentations and to demonstrate all that they’ve learned in the six-month build up to the competition. In the lead up to the finale, all participants have been exemplary in their unwavering dedication and commitment to creating truly innovative companies.”

Injaz Bahrain chairman Dr Abdulrahman Jawahery stated: “Injaz Bahrain is proud to have dedicated itself fully to ensuring the success of this event and its first time in Bahrain. We hope that this competition will demonstrate the true distinction and aptitude of Injaz’s students as they take this opportunity to learn as well as compete. Through this competition we hope all participating student teams will expand their horizons, tap into their limitless potential and learn to apply creativity in all their ideas as the future business leaders of the Arab world.”

Akef Aqrabawi, Injaz Al-Arab’s president and CEO welcomed the teams of young entrepreneurs from across the Mena region to the competition.

“We started preparing for today a year ago, and today our entrepreneurial ship has finally arrived. To all who are present today and will be in the next few days, may we find the strength and passion to embark on a creatively charged journey. We are overjoyed and eager to support and observe youth in their innovative spotlights, and I hope our combined energy will empower and encourage our promising youth to build their own futures.”

The 20 participating teams will be competing to win in the following award categories: University Company of the Year; High School Company of the Year; University Product of the Year; High School Product of the Year; University Company for Best Social Impact; High School Company for Best Social Impact; 2016 FedEx Access Award; Citi Client Focus Award and the MBC Al Amal Best PSA of the Year Award.

The regional competition will be conducted in partnership with a variety of esteemed sponsors such as GPIC, Tamkeen, EDB, Banagas, Bapco, Batelco, MBC Al Amal, Citi Foundation, FedEx, Ithmaar Bank, Alba, Gulf Air, Khaleeji Commercial Bank, Al Salam Bank, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait, Bahrain Ministry of Education, Sadiq Transport and Bahrain Airport Company.

The annual INJAZ Al-Arab Young Arab Entrepreneurs Competition follows the completion of individual country rounds and closes six months of training in work readiness, financial literacy and entrepreneurship based on Injaz Al-Arab’s internationally acclaimed Company Program. In total 20 teams from Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Pakistan will showcase their business insight, financial knowledge, marketing support and feasibility studies. Guests in attendance will include government officials, ambassadors, business leaders, and regional board members. – TradeArabia News Service