Peninsula - 23/5/2006

A wide-ranging youth development programmes to benefit Qataris aged from 18 to 32 was launched here yesterday.

Called 'Intilaaqah Qatar' (high speed take off-Qatar), a memorandum of intent was signed in the presence of H E Sheikha Hessa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, chairperson of the programme, and by representatives of its partner institutions at a ceremony held at the Inter-Continental Hotel.

The partners include Qatar Shell, the Social Development Centre, the College of the North Atlantic of Qatar (CNAQ), Qatar Microsoft HSBC Bank Middle East of Qatar and Salam International.

Intilaaqah Qatar is a non-profit, social investment programme which will help young nationals to explore business start-ups as a viable career choice by assisting them in acquiring the necessary skills to be successful entrepreneurs.

The programme will also help in the diversification of the economy as well as in improving the individuals' professional skills. The three main pillars of the programme are: training and workshops, awards, and counseling-mentoring.

Sheikha Hessa said: "The launch of this unique educational project is clearly linked to Qatar's drive for a more diversified economy and to our national strategy to boldly develop our human resources through first-class learning programmes such as this."

"Shell is very proud to be a partner in this remarkable project and to be able to share its global experience in similar programmes over the last 24 years. We look forward to working with our partners to make Intilaaqah Qatar a successful platform for entrepreneurial development among Qatar's young people," said Qatar Shell Chairman Andy Brown.

"Our contribution to this program is fully aligned with our strategy to simulate and support projects that could generate income for our target groups, namely economically inactive women and youth, through the accumulation of knowledge and practical skills," added Amaal Al Mannai of the Social Development Centre.

CNAQ's Dr Harald Jorch remarked: "We look forward to full participation in developing the energy and entrepreneurialism of the youth of the country as they contribute to the future shape and vitality of the Qatari business environment." Other partner officials also praised the new programme which aims to benefit Qatari youth.