Mohammed attends awards ceremony for young leaders

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attended the sixth edition of the Mohammed bin Rashid Awards for Young Business Leaders at Meydan Hotel in Nad Al Sheba on Tuesday morning.

The ceremony took place in the presence of Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Federal National Council Speaker Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al Ghurair, Director of Dubai Ruler's Office Lt. General Musabbah Rashid Al Fattan, other dignitaries, senior officials and heads of government departments.

Following a rendition of the national anthem, Sheikh Mohammed watched a documentary film about the origins and objectives of the award, which was founded in 2002.  Sheikh Mohammed ordered the award's establishment as part of efforts to boost entrepreneurship in the country by encouraging the nation's youth to embrace innovation and contribute to economic development in the state.

Addressing the assembled audience, the award's executive director Abdul Baset Al Janahi described the award's importance, as it seeks to develop a culture of creativity, excellence and competitiveness amongst the country's youth.  He added that due to His Highness' vision, a new class of young entrepreneurs had entered into the local market through the provision of government contracts, training in leadership skills and over AED1 billion in funding over the past nine years.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed then took the stage, where he distributed prizes to the award-winners. Sheikh Hamdan also gave special praise and thanks to the award's sponsors, including the Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment, Dubai Courts, the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department, Dubai Police General Headquarters, Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai Airports, Emirates Airlines, Union Cooperative Society, Miras Holding and Emaar.

Sheikh Mohammed congratulated the winners, saying that their success was the first step on a long journey to realise their goals and aspirations. Then, along with Sheikh Hamdan, Sheikh Mohammed stood for photos with the prize-winners and wished them further success in the future.