Qatar to Host First EO Majlis for Business Leaders on March 31

Doha, March 23 (QNA) - The first ever Arab world event by the world's most influential entrepreneur group, Entrepreneur s Organisation (EO), will be held in Doha on March 31 and April 1 under the name EO Majlis. Qatar chapter of EO is organising the two-day event which will be leading regional and international entrepreneurs and business leaders for workshops, lectures and networking opportunities. The first day will be open exclusively to EO members, with over 50 delegates expected to fly in from all around the GCC and wider region. The second day activities will be held at the Qatar National Convention Centre. The programme will feature five internationally-renowned speakers and full details will be announced in the coming days. It will also include high profile Qatar-based experts in panel sessions on the role of education in creating the next generation of entrepreneurs, and how innovation and creative thinking can be harnessed by regional businessmen, organisers said. EO Qatar chapter President, Khalifa Al Misnad, said that EO Majlis has region-wide significance and has generated interest far beyond Qatar. "Governments across the GCC are prioritising the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and support for entrepreneurs as part of national strategies to diversify economies and create new jobs. "EO plays an important role buttressing this work by supporting entrepreneurs through peer-to-peer learning, amplifying their voices and creating opportunities for problem solving and idea exchanging. "EO Majlis will take these discussions to a regional level for the first time and we are delighted and honoured that Qatar was selected from among our neighbours to host this landmark event", Al Misnad said. Enterprise Qatar CEO Noora Al Mannai, "Our participation in and sponsorship of EO Majlis is the first step in supporting the entrepreneurial spirit. EO's work revolves around the exchange of experiences, to help members gain from their local peers while maintaining international connections. "The presence of EO in Qatar is a promising sign that we are on the path to building a strong knowledge-based economy, with this form of knowledge-sharing equipping the Qatari youth with all the resources required to build small businesses that will continue to grow." EO Vice President and event organiser Mohammed Al Jaidah said the support of the government was a key factor in the decision to grant hosting rights to Qatar. "Enterprise Qatar (EQ) has generously taken the diamond sponsorship package and is working closely with us to ensure that entrepreneurs of all levels, from students with big dreams to well established businessmen, participate and benefit from the world-class line-up of speakers," Al Jaidah said. Majlis is an Arabic term for a social gathering of family and friends, as well as a place to conduct business in a close and personal environment. The event has been given the name 'EO Majlis' to indicate the cultural and historical importance of a majlis and its role in fostering businesses and social ties in the Arab world. The participants' schedule has been designed to maximise networking opportunities, with planned visits to Qatar's cultural and historical highlights. Visitors will also experience the traditional Qatari activity of pearl diving. The EO, founded in 1987, is a global network of more than 8,000 business owners in 40 countries. (QNA)