Opportunity

While education is the critical first step, Her Highness recognizes that it must be followed closely by opportunity.

The Middle East region is currently witnessing a remarkable increase in the number of university graduates. However, there is a growing gap between skills and demand, and many young people are either unemployed, underemployed or lacking in appropriate opportunities.

The statistics give cause for alarm - youth unemployment in the Middle East / North Africa (MENA) region has reached a staggering 25 percent. Moreover, it is predicted that 100 million young people will enter the workforce by 2020, and a minimum of six million new jobs will need to be created each year to absorb this population.

Clearly there is an urgent need to develop fulfilling and sustainable opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship for our young people. Her Highness is trying to address this issue through the creation of the Silatech initiative and its strategic partnerships with industry. The business incubator at Qatar Science and Technology Park is another significant effort intended to create opportunity and encourage innovation.