Join Us for an Exciting Journey to Navigate Digital Horizons in Doha!
The upcoming joint event, co-organized by the United Nations ESCWA and Qatar Development Bank, will merge the ROWAD Entrepreneurship Conference and the Arab SMEs Summit. This initiative aims to create a dynamic platform for fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development across the Arab region. The event will feature a range of activities all designed to support startups and SMEs in their growth and development. By bringing together key stakeholders, this event will facilitate networking, knowledge sharing, and the exploration of new opportunities, aligning with regional economic visions and goals.
ROWAD
The Qatar Entrepreneurship Conference, known as Rowad, is a celebration of entrepreneurial excellence, milestones and achievements. It is a platform that not only operates locally but extends its reach worldwide, fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and facilitating connections among influential ecosystem players. Through this platform, entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs are encouraged to enhance their entrepreneurial knowledge and capabilities, ultimately contributing to the advancement of the private sector and strengthening the knowledge-based economy. Rowad is a Qatar Development Band brand and a proud member of the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) community, which is a worldwide event held annually, attracting millions of participants across more than 160 countries.
ROWAD 2023 Highlights: 3,000+ Attendees, 70+ Exhibitors from 6 GCC Countries, 15+ Ecosystem Partners, 30+ Workshops & Panel Discussions, First Ever GCC Hackathon Competition.
ASMES
The Arab SMEs Summit (ASMES); organized by the United Nations ESCWA; is a regional annual platform for accelerating the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the Arab region. This annual event aims to empower SMEs to expand their reach beyond local markets, focusing on sustainable growth and enhanced regional collaboration.
ASMES 2022 in Amman: Convened over 1,300 participants, securing over $130 million USD in commitments to support Arab SMEs through initiatives like digitization and market access. (click here to view the website)
ASMES 2023 in Marrakesh: Built on previous successes with 1,300 participants and mobilized $177 million USD in funds, furthering cross-border growth and digital transformation of SMEs. (click here to view the website)
Theme👆
Venue
The Event will take place at Qatar’s premier Exhibition & Convention Center – DECC. Situated in the heart of Doha’s business district, West Bay, DECC is conveniently accessible from any part of the capital, offering ample visitor parking & boasting world-class facilities. Spanning over 5,700 sqm of event space, the Event 2024 aims to welcome more 1,500 visitors per day, from Qatar & the MENA region.
Event Format
The Event format is designed to empower Arab entrepreneurs and enhance their potential to transcend borders. The 2024 event, themed "Navigating Digital Horizons", spans three days, with 10 main work-streams.
Inspiration Panel, Opportunities Spotlight, Interactive Workshops, Policy Dialogue, SMEs Exhibition, Opportunities Zone, Investors Insights, Coaching & Mentoring, B2B Matchmaking, Side Events & Field Visits.
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👇Fill out the application👇
Attention SMEs/Startups
If you're interested in attending, participating, or exhibiting at our upcoming event, please take note of the following important details:
Application Deadline for Visitors: 17 November 2024
Application Deadline for sponsorship: 10 October 2024
Benefits of Participation:
- Networking with industry leaders and investors
- Access to workshops and mentoring sessions
- Potential media exposure
- Opportunities to attract investment and funding
Eligibility Criteria:
- Priority will be given to SMEs/Startups in the following sectors:
- eCommerce
- Green Businesses
- Creative and Cultural Industries
- Educational Technologies
- Digital and Emerging Technologies
- Logistics and Exporting Services
- Only Arab SMEs/Startups are eligible to apply. This includes businesses that are owned by Arabs and operate in one or more Arab countries.
Application Process:
- Announcement and Call Opening: 23 July 2024
- Applications Management and Filtering: Ongoing
- Selection of Exhibiting SMEs/Startups: Rolling basis until the application deadline
- Final Selections Announcement: 05- 10 October 2024
- Final Invitations and Confirmation Emails: 15 October 2024
- Event Onboarding Session: 3 November 2024
Important Reminder: Submit your application as early as possible to secure your spot, as selections will be made on a rolling basis. Don’t wait until the deadline to apply.
Post-Application Process:
- A follow-up email will be sent to the email address you provided;
- Stay tuned for updates and news and get engaged with the event community here
Cost and Funding:
- Participation or Exhibition Fees: Free of charge.
Participants are only responsible for covering their travel tickets and hotel accommodation arrangements.
- Available Grants or Sponsorships: The event will sponsor the participation of a limited number of SMEs/Startups.
Application Requirements:
Ensure all required information is filled out correctly and completely before submitting.
For queries, please contact: escwa-asmes@un.org
