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Under the patronage of the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Qatar, Silatech, a local social organization that works on linking Arab youth to jobs and expand financial opportunities, along with SPARK, an NGO that establishes college and entrepreneurship so that young enthusiastic individuals are empowered to lead their post-conflict societies into success, organized an Expert Meeting titled Entrepreneurship for Stability in the MENA Region.

The professional meeting, which occurred at the residence of the Dutch Ambassador in Doha, witnessed participation of delegates from International Development Communities, NGOs, Private and Public Sector consisting of academics and think tanks.

Discussing the event, Her Excellency Yvette Burghgraef-van Eechoud, Dutch Ambassador to Qatar stated: 'I was honored to host in my home a group of amazing individuals from the Middle-East and Africa to create financial opportunities for refugees and internally displaced persons. The group revealed a very high level of commitment, competence and trust. These are the basic components for finding the best options for both refugees and the communities that are hosting them.' H.E added: 'The Netherlands proudly supports this partnership between Silatech and SPARK in their venture to supply some point of view and dignity to the many victims of humanitarian disaster in nations like Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Libya.'.

The Expert Meeting addressed lots of topics regarding the present situation of refugees such as: ingenious programs and policies can be presented to make it possible for refugees to carry out company activities whilst at the same time, not negatively affecting the host nation economy; Employment and entrepreneurship programs and policies are the most appropriate and successful factors to livelihood enhancements in conflict-affected locations and what can be done to ensure or produce an allowing environment where some financial advancement and livelihood getting activities can take place in conflict-affected locations.

Mr Mohammed Al-Naimi, CEO of Silatech said: 'Our vision is to have an Arab world in which young people are able to work and are participated in the financial development of their societies came as a response to the obstacle of unemployment in the area and resulted in the establishment of Silatech to connect Arab youth to economic opportunities and jobs through enterprise and employment and today this mission is much more needed and required ... as all of us know, the area is experiencing extraordinary instability with continuous conflicts and political turmoil affecting numerous nations for the past 5 Years.' He added: 'We hope this meeting is another step in a journey to unlocking reliable partnerships, programmatic interventions and policy suggestions that contribute to supplying sustainable solutions to the complex issue at hand.'.

Michel Richter, Co-Director of SPARK, also present at the occasion, comments: 'Our programs for Syrian Refugees in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan moneyed by the Dutch Government and Education Above All Foundation are a vital step, but more has to be done in terms of business development and job development for this group.' In doing so he stressed the need to capitalize on the brain power and experience mobilized at the Expert Meeting. Richter stressed 'there continues to be much to find out and acquire in terms of what works and exactly what does not work and advises for the development of concrete and useful efforts that can be rapidly deployed. This needs the participation of companies present at the conference such as the UNHCR, ILO, Qatar Red Crescent, International Medical Corps, Silatech and SPARK as well as relevant private sector and federal government actors.'.

The participants shared finest practices from different types of employment and entrepreneurship initiatives that played an essential role in enhancing source of incomes which added to cultivating social stability for refugees and others. One of the prospective initiatives that had actually been checked out in depth was the establishment of totally free financial zones that would assist in Syrian financiers and business owners to continue and begin their companies developing employment and company linkages involving both Syrian refugees and host neighborhoods.

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