Youth show their products in various sectors in Jeddah Entrepreneurs Exhibition

Fatima Muhammad A new small and medium businesses commission has been created to handle their issues. This was revealed by Mohammad Al-Suwaileh, the head of young businessmen committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He noted that they have been waiting for this move for ten years and added, “Youth are now more open to investment and the quality of projects they provide have developed over the years.” He added that they started in 2007 with only 44 exhibitors but this year over 2,200 were hoping to exhibit but only 200 were able to make it due to shortage of space. Speaking to Saudi Gazette on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Jeddah Entrepreneurship Forum he said that there are still some challenges facing youth. “Some challenges are from the youth themselves who need to develop their skills though we have noticed an improvement in the quality they provide. However, other challenges are related to regulations set by various government bodies, which undergo constant change and the youth have to adapt to them,” he said. This year he said the exhibition has different workshops that address franchise opportunities for youth, highlight the challenges facing small and medium businesses, present funds and associations offering assistance to youth projects, and present success stories for youth to follow their path. One of the supporting government bodies that provide assistance to youth is “Tharwa” which is under the supervision of Makkah governorate and supports youth programs and initiatives. Tharwa believes that youth are the real fortune of the country. The support is provided to three age group category, 13-15, 16-21 and 22-25. Reem Al-Sharif an interior designer from Startup which is a company that help youth present their new businesses in a distinguish way, with a corporate identity, a strategy, and a marketing plan stated that youth have shown interest in using their services. Mazin Al-Jihani, who is a scholarship graduate, has started his new business with two partners and they are presenting their special tea in the exhibition. “We sell Karak tea which is a popular tea with spices presented in various GCC states but not here. We have first introduced it in Basta Market and we are hoping to expand soon.” Al-Jihani is also selling Shabati bread with a modern twist to it as they offer various fillings as well as iced Karak tea. Their both booths are painted in orange and have pulled in a number of visitors, who were keen to taste the tea being boiled in traditional pots.