LOC18:35
15:35 GMT
Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr. Bader Hamad Al-Essa
KUWAIT, Oct 28 (KUNA) -- Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr. Bader Hamad Al-Essa has stressed how micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Arab World are vital to counter unemployment, especially among young people.
Al-Bader on Wednesday addressed the opening ceremony of the regional conference "Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) in the Arab Countries: Reality and Aspirations" held under auspices of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, 28-29 October.
He emphasized the momentousness of the event amid the regional and international conditions impacting the Arab World, saying it is an effort that raises youth hopes of self-reliance and launching initiatives for such enterprises.
The conference is organized by the Arab Open University (AOU) in cooperation with Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND), Arab Urban Development Institute and Kuwait Banking Association.
Minister Al-Essa stressed the significant role of academic institutions in providing scientific solutions to social problems, lauding the AOU which realizes that universities in several world countries are a basic partner in development.
According to the minister, organizing such regional events in Kuwait offers an opportunity to underline the importance of technical education for promoting MSMEs, a field in which many world countries have been making noticeable progress.
This "development gathering" aims to identify the reality of MSMEs in the Arab countries, through exchanging expertise and data among the participant Arab institutions, AOU Rector Moudi Al-Humoud told the opening ceremony.
Al-Humoud pointed to the economic slump and the rising unemployment rates in the region which amounted to 25 million jobless, a fearful rate of 20 percent.
She said that up to USD 70 billion is needed to launch investments and create 5 million jobs annually. (end)
skm.fr.jk.msa