Third Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum Offers an Inspiring Platform for Entrepreneurs - Middle East Business News and Information
The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has announced the return of the third Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum, aiming to empower entrepreneurs and owners of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow their ventures. Through this initiative, the Authority seeks to highlight the importance of the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) and the various opportunities they offer in contributing to Dubai's aim of becoming a global hub for the creative economy by 2026. This aligns with the Authority's commitment to investing in young talents and competencies. The forum, hosted in the Al Quoz Creative Zone in Q4 2025, will feature expert-led talks on entrepreneurship and the CCIs, interactive workshops, networking sessions, and panels on advancing business growth, as well as a range of activities designed to equip participants with entrepreneurial skills.
In parallel, Dubai Culture launched the open call for the third Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Competition on the forum's sidelines. The contest aims to spur innovation among entrepreneurs and SME owners by inviting ideas that enhance Dubai's startup ecosystem and support the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy, which unites industry with investment capital.
Khulood Khoory, Director of the Project & Events Department at Dubai Culture, emphasised the magnitude of the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Forum and its role in supporting CCIs and bolstering sustainable development. She said: 'Through the forum and the competition, we aim to create an environment that nurtures entrepreneurship in Dubai, encouraging a competitive climate that drives the creative economy and empowers innovative endeavours. Our initiatives are designed to attract investors, talent, and creative minds, inspiring them to launch and expand their projects in the emirate. The event is a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs, experts, and stakeholders to connect, share insights, and ignite new ways of thinking. Likewise, the competition motivates participants to push boundaries and continue their professional journeys, fuelling growth across sectors.'
Dubai Culture will accept applications for the Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Competition until 30 June. Shortlisted entrepreneurs can present their proposals to a panel of specialists, financiers, and event partners at the forum. The jury will assess entries based on creativity, competitiveness, sustainability, market insight, and overall potential, covering impact on the CCIs, innovation, cultural diversity, and job creation. The first-place winner will receive AED 80,000, the second AED 50,000, and the third AED 30,000, with additional prizes awarded by collaborators.
The Al Quoz Creative Entrepreneurship Competition targets early-stage startups in the UAE under two years old and welcomes entrepreneurs from all CCIs. Eligible fields include advertising, marketing, cultural production, craft manufacturing, architecture, urban planning, broadcasting, handicrafts and fine arts, graphic, industrial, digital, fashion, and product design, as well as heritage, museums, libraries, archaeology, music, film, animation, performing and visual arts, photography, podcasts, content creation, publishing, literature, gaming, and culinary arts. All applicants must submit a functional prototype of their work.
The first and second editions of the forum attracted over 2,000 creatives, entrepreneurs, and investors, featuring 59 workshops, panel discussions, keynote speeches, and related activities. Additionally, ten community hub partners participated and provided support, knowledge, and services to the forum attendees.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily News Egypt
a day ago
- Daily News Egypt
ETA announces targeted amendments to Value-added Tax Law
The Egyptian Tax Authority (ETA) announced on Sunday a set of limited amendments to the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Law, designed to broaden the tax base, correct market distortions, and strengthen the state's capacity to finance increased investments in human development. The Authority noted that these changes were introduced in response to recommendations from representatives across several productive sectors. In its official statement, the Authority confirmed that there would be no changes to VAT exemptions on essential goods, food products, healthcare services, or education, and no increase to the general VAT rate. 'We are working to eliminate distortions in the current system to enhance tax equity, meet the demands of the business community, and promote integration with digital tax systems,' the Authority said. 'The aim is to expand the tax base in alignment with the standards of the World Health Organization, the World Tourism Organization, and global best practices.' As part of the reforms, the construction sector will now be subject to the standard VAT rate instead of the previously applied 5% schedule tax. Contractors will be eligible to deduct all applicable input taxes on goods and services, including those paid on machinery and equipment used to perform construction work. The ETA noted that this shift may lower overall construction service costs, as input taxes will no longer be included in the taxable base. Contractors will also be entitled to reclaim VAT on qualifying purchases, provided they present proper invoices—helping support efforts to formalise the sector and expand the tax base. The statement also clarified that shops and administrative units located in non-commercial areas will continue to be exempt from VAT. However, administrative units located within commercial premises—such as malls and commercial centers—will now be taxed at 1% of their sale or rental value. The move is intended to align the treatment of these units with existing taxes applied to commercial shops within the same zones. Under the new amendments, crude oil—distinct from petroleum products—will now be subject to a 10% schedule tax. This change is not expected to affect domestic petroleum product prices, as the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation remains the sole purchaser of crude oil in the country. The tax will be accounted for in the Corporation's upcoming budget and is expected to be offset by projected cost savings. In response to formal requests from companies operating in Egypt, the revised law also expands cigarette tax brackets and increases the fixed tax on cigarettes by EGP 0.50—the first increase since 2023. Additionally, a new fixed and progressive schedule tax has been introduced on alcoholic beverages, calculated based on alcohol content, replacing the former proportional tax on sale value. The Tax Authority stressed that these amendments are part of a broader strategy to address sector-specific concerns, support producers and manufacturers, and ensure compliance with international public health and economic standards.
CairoScene
a day ago
- CairoScene
UAE Tourism Hits Record High With USD 70 Billion Revenue
International visitors spent AED 217.3 billion (USD 59.2 billion), up 5.8% from the previous year and 30.4% higher than pre-pandemic benchmarks. Jun 29, 2025 The UAE's tourism sector posted record-breaking figures in 2024, with total revenues reaching AED 257.3 billion (USD 70.1 billion) and accounting for 13% of the national GDP—marking a 3.2% year-on-year increase and a 26% rise over 2019 levels. International visitors spent AED 217.3 billion (USD 59.2 billion), up 5.8% from the previous year and 30.4% higher than pre-pandemic benchmarks. Domestic tourism also climbed sharply, contributing AED 57.6 billion (USD 15.7 billion)—a 41% increase compared to 2019. These gains placed the UAE among the top seven global markets for international tourism spending. Authorities attribute the growth to improved infrastructure, expanded leisure and cultural offerings, and service upgrades under the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031. Looking forward, the UAE aims to raise the sector's GDP contribution to AED 450 billion and draw 40 million hotel guests annually by 2031.
Mid East Info
2 days ago
- Mid East Info
Dubai Land Department encourages Emirati citizens to join the Dubai Real Estate Broker Programme - Middle East Business News and Information
The programme has achieved a remarkable milestone to date, with the qualification rate of participants exceeding 180% compared to the annual target. The total value of real estate transactions completed through qualified brokers since the programme's launch has reached AED 500 million. 231 new real estate brokerage companies have been licensed. Granting qualified participants a 'National Broker' license valid for three years. Dubai, United Arab Emirates June 2025: Dubai Land Department (DLD) has announced that Emirati citizens interested in joining the 'Dubai Real Estate Broker Programme' can now register via a dedicated link on its official website. This follows strong interest since the programme's launch, which has already drawn a significant number of citizens keen to enter the real estate brokerage sector. The initiative continues reinforcing its role as a strategic platform for increasing national talent participation in this key industry. In this context, Dubai Land Department calls on developers and real estate brokers, particularly those who have not had the opportunity to join the Dubai Real Estate Broker Programme in its previous phases, to take part in supporting the programme's journey by presenting their proposals and initiatives that contribute to achieving its objectives as key partners in its ongoing success. DLD emphasises the importance of this collaboration in building an integrated ecosystem based on strong public-private sector synergy. This cooperation opens the door to high-quality opportunities for training and employing national talent, supporting the sustainability of the real estate sector, and reinforcing Dubai's position as a leading destination for talent and investment. To date, the programme has surpassed expectations, with the number of qualified Emirati brokers reaching more than 180% of the annual target. It has also delivered numerous specialised training courses in collaboration with accredited academic institutions. Upon completion of the required training, participants are issued an official real estate broker card valid for three years, allowing them to practice the profession in accordance with Dubai's legal and regulatory framework. These efforts have significantly boosted broker performance, resulting in real estate transactions exceeding AED 500 million from the programme's launch through the end of April 2025. Furthermore, 231 new real estate brokerage firms have been licensed. As part of its institutional collaboration efforts, DLD organised more than 10 meetings and gatherings with its 71 strategic allies from various real estate-related sectors. These include 26 real estate development companies, 38 brokerage firms, and four training and qualification institutes. This initiative has contributed to building an integrated network that enhances professional success opportunities for participants and strengthens the ecosystem supporting Emiratisation in this vital sector. As part of its efforts to stimulate the business environment and support the Emiratisation of real estate professions, Dubai Land Department will implement an incentive points system specifically for brokerage firms that employ Emirati citizens. These firms will receive additional points that will enhance their ranking within DLD's approved evaluation system, positively impacting their competitive position in the market. DLD affirms that the Dubai Real Estate Broker Programme is one of the key pillars aligned with the Dubai Social Agenda 2033 objectives. The programme aims to empower Emirati citizens to benefit from the economic opportunities available in the real estate sector by providing specialised professional training, issuing the 'National Broker' licence, allocating a percentage of real estate projects to programme participants, and enhancing their employment opportunities within active brokerage firms across Dubai. This programme serves as a comprehensive platform for developing national talent and preparing a new generation of qualified Emirati brokers in line with the highest professional standards. It contributes to reinforcing Dubai's position as a leading global destination for real estate investment and supports the sector's sustainability and dynamism. The programme also aims to increase the percentage of Emiratis working in real estate brokerage to 15% over the next three years, reflecting the Dubai Government's commitment to engaging national talent in high-value economic sectors. The programme's continued implementation and expansion reaffirm its vision's success in opening new horizons for Emirati youth and equipping them with the tools for competitiveness and innovation. This aligns with Dubai's broader development goals and contributes to building a more inclusive and sustainable economic ecosystem.
