Sharjah 24: Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) received a high-level delegation from the National Fund for SME Development delegation of the State of Kuwait, visiting Sharjah Entrepreneurship Foundation (Ruwad), affiliated to SEDD, aiming at reviewing the best practices and experiences applied in the field of supporting national small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs.

The delegation was received by Sultan Abdullah bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, Chairman of SEDD, in the presence of Hamad Ali Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Director of Ruwad. The delegation was headed by Adel Shamlan Al Hasawi, Director General of the National Fund for SME Development in Kuwait, and included Khaled Al Qahtani, Director of the Strategic Planning Department, and Salem Al Otaibi, Director of the Director General's Office.

Sultan Abdullah bin Hadda Al Suwaidi said that the visit represents an important opportunity to learn about the efforts made by both parties in sponsoring and developing national projects, and enabling Emirati entrepreneurs to establish their companies and projects for the benefit of society and the local economy. 

Al Suwaidi explained that the visit included a review on Ruwad’s experience, most important services and initiatives to stimulate the entrepreneurship environment in Sharjah, diversify and develop these services as well as other initiatives and projects aimed at promoting the culture of self-employment among school and university students. 

Hamad Ali Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Director of Ruwad, explained that the Ruwad, under the directives of the wise leadership in Sharjah and the follow-up of SEDD, always seeks to enhance the concept of supporting entrepreneurship with counterpart institutions inside and outside the UAE.  Hamad Ali Abdullah Al Mahmoud also stressed that the visit resulted in a number of positive outcomes, whereas it was agreed on a joint cooperation mechanism between the two parties during the next phase in the field of developing and encouraging entrepreneurship, and starting to develop initiatives and projects to enhance the concept of mutual partnership in the field of entrepreneurship support.

Adel Shamlan Al Hasawi, Director General of the National Fund for SME Development in Kuwait, said that the Fund has played a vital role in developing entrepreneurship and building a pioneering community in Kuwait since 2013.