The Business Registration & Licensing (BRL) sector in Dubai Economy has commenced a series of workshops for preparing younger generations to explore innovative business opportunities and capitalise on the growing popularity of online business platforms as well as eCommerce across the country.

The workshops target students across schools and universities in Dubai to introduce them to the new avenues as well as prospects for online businesses, and the ‘DED Trader’ licence that Dubai Economy has launched to promote business on social media. The initiative is also part of the Dubai Economy strategy to support eCommerce as a key driver of the emirate’s digital transformation and build on the the growing affinity among UAE youth to buy and sell online.

The UAE is already the fastest growing eCommerce market in the Middle East & North Africa region, according to recebt report by Dubai Economy and VISA, and online businesses, a tech-eager youth population and government-led initiatives promoting cashless payments are identified among the major drivers of eCommerce in the country. The report predicts eCommerce in the country to hit AED59 billion in 2019 and grow 23% annually between 2018 and 2022.

Scheduled to run till the end of this year, the initiative includes a series of exciting and interactive workshops conducted across various schools and universities on how technologies of the future can help innovative business ideas to be implemented successfully.

Stories of successful DED Trader license holders will also be shared with the students as part of motivating Emirati youth to leverage advanced technologies to do business competitively. The ‘DED Trader’ licence allows all residents in Dubai to engage digital business activities across social media platforms and covers over 400 business activities.

Ahmad Alshaer, Senior Manager in BRL sector, said: “Through the workshop series we aim to qualify and enhance the skills and talents of the younger generations and introduce them to a world of post-university opportunities awaiting them online. This is part of our strategy to convey the values of knowledge and creativity to future generations, in addition to enabling them to become pioneers in building the future of the UAE.”

Alshaer added that the workshops will also focus on the importance of innovation and creativity, especially since most countries drive their development strategy based on youth and their ideas. The schedule of the workshops will be announced in various media and on social media channels of BRL.