JYB 2012 moves to dispel misperceptions of youths

The Fifth annual Jeddah Youth Business (JYB) Expo 2012 concludes today at the Jeddah Center for Forums & Events.
The objective of the JYB Expo is to offer assistance, instruction, expert advice and financial support to help small businesses grow while producing successful businessmen and women.
Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, governor of the Makkah Province, opened the event on Monday in the presence of Prince Misha’al Bin Majed bin Abdul Aziz, governor of the Jeddah.
This week a presentation was screened displaying a rhetorical visual idea of the expo.
Muhammad Suwaileh, chairman of the Young Business Committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI), later told participants that, “This initiative aims to promote the growth of small and medium enterprises through cooperation with major corporations and government sectors.”
Suwaileh said that the exhibition’s aim was to encourage and motivate the youth to engage in the free labor market and promote the concept of work. He said that it would enable them to establish and develop their projects and contribute to overcoming the challenges faced by the youths in the business world.
Saleh Kamel, chairman of the JCCI, then addressed the audience and thanked Prince Al-Faisal for supporting the establishment of an educational activity that benefits the Kingdom. He also announced the launch of a new media channel on the Internet that will feature the Kingdom’s economic issues.
Prince Al-Faisal, governor of Makkah, rejected the common misperception in which Saudi youths are considered lethargic and unable to succeed in the job market. He stressed on the need for the Kingdom to move from third world to first world countries.
The expo was organized by the JYB Committee, and was attended by more than 1,000 businessmen and women who viewed the projects of 300 Saudi youth who participated.
“The youth are trustworthy enough to boost the Kingdom’s different sectors, be it industry, economy, social or scientific fields,” said Prince Al-Faisal.
The governor of Makkah also honored a number of sponsors and organizers of the exhibition.
“The main purpose of this event is to give the entrepreneurial youth a chance to find the right environment and opportunity for their growth,” said Thamer Shaker, executive member of the Young Business Committee at the JCCI, and HR and CSR executive manager at Nesma.
“Secondly, we are giving the youth a chance to hear what the older generation has to say, and learn more about their experiences in the field of business … this will motivate the new generation and enhance the concept of entrepreneurship in the youth, to be more than just an employee,” said Shaker.
Shaker also said that the third objective of the event was for the community to understand what was happening with current issues.
“I think it is a chance for the youth to present their work and get support from established businessmen and women. We have to help them. They are the economic future of our country,” said Aisha Natto, a member of the JCCI.
Youth from different stalls displayed projects in their field ranging from fashion designing, floral arrangements, real estate, interior designing, confectionery and more.
“Our main goal is to support all youth who are willing to enter new and challenging fields in business,” said Shorooq Al-Sulaiman, owner and founder of Jumara, who operated a real estate stall at the expo.
“I think this is a real challenge because my team is comprised of all ladies. This is one of the biggest challenges that you can face in Saudi Arabia,” said Al-Sulaiman.
Al-Sulaiman is a member of the Young Saudi Entrepreneurs, a member in the real estate committee at JCCI, and the only woman in the real estate development committee in Jeddah.
“We believe that a Saudi woman has the right, and should have the benefit, of investing in real estate as well, so we educate people and advise them on the right way to invest in real estate. This is the third time we have had our company exhibiting its products at an expo,” said Al-Sulaiman.
Al-Sulaiman outlined that real estate was one of a handful of occupations that a Saudi woman could choose to enter, and be very successful at.
“Alhamdulillah, we have trained ladies in the field of real estate as well as the field of construction,” says Al-Sulaiman.