News DeskDubai, UAE – The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in Dubai concluded the third edition of the Entrepreneurship Makers Forum under the theme “Hand in Hand” at Al Khawaneej Majlis. The event, part of the UAE’s Year of Community initiatives, united government leaders, entrepreneurs, and youth creators to advance Dubai’s vision of fostering an innovation-driven, entrepreneurship-friendly ecosystem through institutional partnerships.
The forum opened with a high-level discussion on “Governmental Empowerment of Entrepreneurship,” featuring Alia Abdulla Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of State for Entrepreneurship; Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of Dubai’s Community Development Authority; and Lt. General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai. Representatives from Dubai Chambers, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, Public Prosecution, and Dubai Municipality also participated.
Al Mazrouei underscored entrepreneurship as a “critical developmental tool” tied to societal progress, while Buhumaid highlighted the need for “sustainable institutional partnerships to empower youth-led ventures.” Lt. General Al Marri emphasized the government’s evolving role as an “executive partner,” transforming ideas into viable economic models through agile policies.
The second session showcased Emirati entrepreneurs Saeed Al Mutaiwee, Buthaina Al Marri, Hala Al Qergawi, and Abdullah Al Awadhi, who shared their journeys from concept to scalable enterprises. They credited institutional support and community engagement for enabling flexible business models that blend innovation with Emirati heritage.
In the final session, “Impact Makers in Entrepreneurship,” panelists Abdullah bin Naim Al Darai (Chairman, UAE Youth Council for Entrepreneurship), Latifa bin Haider, and Khalifa Al Mehairi discussed leveraging digital platforms to cultivate responsible entrepreneurial awareness. They urged content creators to shift from personal storytelling to driving societal impact, fostering a culture of innovation among youth.
The forum reinforced GDRFA-Dubai’s commitment to converting dialogue into tangible outcomes, aligning with national goals to empower local talent and build a knowledge-based economy. By bridging government, entrepreneurs, and youth, the event exemplified Dubai’s strategic vision of institutional collaboration to nurture future-ready enterprises.
