Bader Al-Kharafi: Kuwaiti youth have their print in entrepreneurial innovation

Zain Group’s Vice Chairman Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi

KUWAIT: Zain, the leading telecommunications company in Kuwait, announced its participation on the first day of the Youth Empowerment Symposium. This activity forms part of the company's strategic partnership with the event, and marks its fifth consecutive year of support. The symposium falls under the patronage of HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

Zain Group's Vice Chairman Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi participated in the opening panel discussion titled "Innovation and the Future of Technology" alongside Corey Owens, former Head of Global Public Policy at Facebook and Uber Technologies. Zain Kuwait CEO Eaman Al-Roudhan took part in the discussion panel titled "Lessons for Leading Entrepreneurs" alongside a number of prominent local business leaders.

During his panel discussion, Kharafi commented: "One of the most critical factors for corporate success is providing employees with the inspiration to stimulate collective thinking, and giving them the appropriate space for creativity and opportunity to present their ideas."

The vice chairman emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship, urging the youth who attended the Symposium to find innovative solutions in non-traditional business areas. He also spoke about the importance of education in a country's future development and how the education system in Kuwait should transform to offer more innovative methods of learning. He also pointed out that there are numerous examples of successful personalities who are not formally educated but who have still gone on to establish leading institutions, having taken advantage of practical experiences they developed over time.

Regarding technological developments that can represent significant challenges for businesses to adapt, Kharafi said, "Keeping up with the latest technological developments is important for organizations if they are to continue on the right path to guide their development. Zain was quick to embrace innovation and digital services in its operational strategy, entering numerous partnerships and investing in emerging technology companies."

Zain invested in NexGen Group, as part of its ambition to establish a specialized unit for the provision of smart city services to governments, corporates and real estate developers. Roudhan said, "Successful leadership requires a team that works with one 'heart', a team that is innovative and learns from mistakes and continues to improve. Leaders need the power of a good team to assist them in achieving goals."

Roudhan added, "In the era of constant technological advancements, organizations need real and practical mechanisms to empower and encourage innovation, and a good leader has to be able to take decisions with confidence and see challenges as a motivation to inspire and achieve." Zain's support of the symposium is in line with its long-term strategy to provide the necessary support to national initiatives aimed at uplifting the capabilities and skills of youth in Kuwait.

The Youth Empowerment Symposium provides local youth with an ideal opportunity to gain valuable insights from several internationally and locally renowned industry pioneers, academics, and experts. This year's speakers included Jeremy Liew, investor of Snapchat and partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners; Jennifer Boulanger, Head of Global Recruitment at booking.com; Corey Owens, Former Head of Global Public Policy at Uber Technologies and Head of Global Public Policy at We Work; and other prominent local speakers.

Zain's presence in this national event also showcases the company's dedication to empowering the entrepreneurial skills of youth in Kuwait. The Symposium delivers outstanding knowledge to talented young people to empower them to progress in their chosen fields of interest as well as to spark the light of enthusiasm within them.