Boeing is jointly hosting the debut “Boeing Business Challenge” in partnership with Injaz Al-Arab in Kuwait, which will be a specialised aviation-focused part of its Regional Young Entrepreneurs Competition.

Injaz Al-Arab is a non-profit organisation that believes in the limitless potential and creation of viable opportunities for young people in the Arab world.

The two-day regional competition which kicked off today (November 27) in Kuwait City at the Jumeirah Messilah Hotel, and will bring together over 80 students from 11 countries to compete for an award based on aviation-themed business challenges.

All of the invited students will have participated in Injaz’s flagship entrepreneurship education programme, The Company Program.

The regional competition in Kuwait is only open to students who successfully competed in the national-level competition in their home countries.

The students’ proposed solutions to the aviation business challenges will be judged on a set of rigorous criteria by Boeing representatives from throughout the Middle East. The winners will be recognised with a prestigious award from Boeing at the Awards Ceremony on November 28.

Bernie Dunn, president of Boeing Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, said: “The Boeing Business Challenge will encourage students to solve problems creatively and work together collaboratively.”

“Boeing’s continued partnership with Injaz Al-Arab is a testament to our focus on the region’s youth and the Boeing Business Challenge is a specialised extension of this commitment. Our aim is to cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit for the aviation industry and this is a strong step towards inculcating that in the region’s youth,” he added.

Akef Aqrabawi, president and CEO of Injaz Al-Arab, said: “Boeing has been a strategic partner for Injaz. As leaders in the aviation industry, they know how to cultivate young talent.”

“We value their continued support, and we are looking forward to partnering with them at the regional competition to execute the first-ever Boeing Business Challenge,” he added.

Boeing’s sponsorship of this signature Business Challenge continues its long-standing collaboration with Injaz Al-Arab, with Boeing employees frequently serving on Injaz judging panels at the national-level competitions for the Company Program. This year and for the second time, Boeing representatives will judge the competition at the regional level in Kuwait as well.

Boeing previously funded Injaz Al-Arab’s “Start Up” program for Arab youth, which aims to hone their entrepreneurial talent into registered, operational ventures.

Since its creation, “Start Up” has impacted nearly 700 students across the region and established more than 60 businesses.

During the 2016-2017 academic year alone, “Start Up” fostered 23 businesses through incubation and acceleration support. – TradeArabia News Service