Injaz Al-Arab, a member of Junior Achievement Worldwide (JA), recently honoured Nawa Company from Injaz Oman and Contrive Company from Injaz Bahrain with ‘Company of the Year’ awards at the 12th Annual Young Arab Entrepreneurs Competition.

The event was held yesterday (November 28) in Kuwait, at the Jumeirah Messilah Hotel.

Held under the patronage of HH the Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and deputised by Minister of Commerce and Industry Khaled Al Rodhan, the award ceremony was attended by 450 of the governmental entities, private sector representatives and educational institutions.

Bringing together 80 of the most talented young Arab entrepreneurs from 11 countries across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, the students competed for 12 awards with Nawa Company from Injaz Oman and Contrive Company from Injaz Bahrain emerging as winners of the ‘Company of the Year’ and TaaWin from Injaz Bahrain and Re-al from Injaz Kuwait won the ‘Product of the Year’, and Dr Leda from Injaz Lebanon and Inspire from Injaz Palestine won the ‘Best Social Impact’, ‘Citi Client Focus Award’ by Dr Leda from Injaz Lebanon and Re-Al from Injaz Kuwait, the ‘FedEx Access Award’ by Nabta from Injaz Oman, ‘MBC Al Amal Pitch of the Year’ by Dr Leda from Injaz Lebanon , ‘Boeing Business Challenge’ by StrapMed from Injaz Tunisia and ‘MetLife Innovation Award’ by TamaRun from Injaz Qatar and Smart Parking from Injaz UAE.

Akef Aqrabawi, chief executive officer of Injaz Al-Arab, said: “We have witnessed an exceptional display of innovative ideas, creative talent and entrepreneurial skills during this year’s competition.”

“The awards and recognition are testament to the hard work and dedication by our students and members of the Injaz family. With another successful year, we aim to continue setting benchmarks towards our mission of empowering young Arabs and promoting a sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem within the Arab region,” Aqrabawi added.

The competition was mediated by a judging panel comprised of key representatives from Google, Honeywell, Investcorp, MBC Group, Gulf Bank, MetLife, Zain, FedEx, Citi Kuwait, Boeing, McKinsey and Schneider.

The competition is organised with a strategic partnership with Alghanim Industries, and Gulf Bank and Zain, and with the support of esteemed local partners including LOYAC, Kuwait Airways, Kout Food Group, Al Shaheed Park, Ali Abdulwahab and Sons, Jumeirah Hotel, NAS and Aramex.

On the regional and global front, Citi Foundation, MetLife, FedEx, MBC Al Amal and Boeing are recognized as signature sponsors.

The Injaz Al Arab Competition for Young Entrepreneurs was launched in 2007, with an aim to enhance the entrepreneurial skills of Arab youth, in addition to creating job opportunities in the market and to stimulate the economy. – TradeArabia News Service