Kuwait city: Kuwaiti Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwaila stated that Gulf sons and daughters are no longer waiting for opportunities, but are actively creating them, turning these into a renewed economic reality. This declaration was made during her speech at the opening of the First Gulf Forum for Capacity-Building and Skills Development of Home-Based Entrepreneurs, hosted by the State of Kuwait over two days. The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Executive Office of GCC Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs, and the Federation of GCC Chambers.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Dr. Al-Huwaila emphasized that Gulf homes have transformed into platforms of creativity from which promising projects are launched. She highlighted the collective Gulf vision and will converging on Kuwait's soil, not just to exchange expertise but also to open new horizons towards a future shaped by the synergy of minds and dynamic energies. She expressed confidence in Gulf youth's ability to transcend limits and noted that home-based projects have the potential to grow into competitive economic entities. Al-Huwaila further noted that GCC leaders consistently affirm the need to support these creative energies.
Dr. Al-Huwaila explained the necessity of empowering home-based entrepreneurs with modern tools, especially as technology rapidly reshapes the world. She emphasized that the digital world is essential for those aspiring to master market dynamics and transform small projects into significant economic contributors. Kuwait, she added, is committed to providing training, fostering innovation, and facilitating digital market access to support the growth of home-based projects.
The minister also highlighted the importance of the presence of representatives from the GCC Executive Office and the Federation of GCC Chambers, which reflects a unified Gulf vision that sees home-based work as a genuine economic contributor. She assured continued efforts to provide training, open digital markets, and build trust, thereby enabling Gulf youth to demonstrate that creativity requires support and belief in human potential.
Director-General of the Executive Office of GCC Ministers of Labor and Social Affairs, Mohammad Al-Obaidli, applauded Kuwait's role during its chairmanship of the GCC Social Affairs Committee. He emphasized the forum's significance in providing empowerment pathways for home-based projects, which are becoming vital economic streams supporting social sustainability and empowering Gulf families.
Assistant Secretary-General of the Federation of GCC Chambers, Noura Al-Salem, underscored the role of small and micro enterprises as key drivers of economic and social growth in GCC countries. She highlighted the projects' importance in fostering innovation, empowering women, and creating new business models based on digital transformation. Al-Salem pointed out that the forum aims to establish an integrated platform combining training, capacity-building, financing, and financial inclusion.
The forum's first day featured panel discussions on leading experiences in home-based projects and Gulf entrepreneurship, and areas of support and empowerment for these initiatives. On the second day, sessions focused on economic empowerment in the digital age, the role of GCC chambers of commerce, and ensuring the sustainability of home-based projects.