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Women Entrepreneurs Successfully Trained on Business Plan Preparation

Workshop Supported by Citi Foundation and Delivered at University of Dubai for 7th Straight Year

Dubai- The Center for Management & Professional Development (CMDP) at University of Dubai and The Citi Foundation recently celebrated the successful conclusion of the joint “Entrepreneurship and Business Plan Development” workshop which trained 19 women entrepreneurs on successful business management skills.

The workshop is part of the Joint Venture for Finance & Entrepreneurship (JVFE), which was established in January 2005 as a joint venture between UD and Citi through an equal grant from the Citi Foundation. The JVFE aims at addressing the entrepreneurial qualifications of women through specialized and focused workshops.

Held for the 7th consecutive year, the rigorous 3-month training program was concluded through a certificate award ceremony held at the Dubai Chamber. All participants were felicitated, while awards were presented to the three best business plans.

Women Entrepreneurs Successfully Trained on Business Plan Preparation

The program covered topics such as screening of business ideas, understanding the industry and competition, elements of marketing and understanding how consumers buy, importance of cash management, product pricing, various marketing dimensions, how to do simple market research, cash flow management, financial planning, business plan development, putting the plan to work, and looking at ethical and legal concerns as well as the regulatory environment.

Saba El Kufaishi, who took the workshop, said: "I believe that the whole opportunity is remarkable, and I know such prospect doesn't come up very often…this program allowed me to get an inside look from experienced professionals. There was also a good mix of students from various backgrounds & nationalities with a combination of ideas & experiences, which was a learning curve on its own…”

“The course was very good and I enjoyed it…I suggest that any one who wants to establish business or even to expand it to join this course,” said Maha Dawood Moosa Jaffar Ali, another workshop attendee.

This year’s program expanded its training activities to cover further workshops on how to Become A Highly Effective Women Leader and how to Effectively Use Social Media as a Marketing Tool, among other topics. These enable entrepreneurs to develop essential management and life skills, and to access the greater women entrepreneur network in the UAE.

Furthermore, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (MBRE) has agreed to mentor and support entrepreneurs, and will provide selective entrepreneurs access to MBRE’s incubators in its Business Village.

“Our ongoing strategic alliance with UD has gathered momentum throughout seven years. More than 180 deserving women entrepreneurs have come closer to realizing their dreams, in addition to forming an alumni group of entrepreneurs and reaching out to new partners such as MBRE,” said Sanjoy Sen, Citibank’s Consumer Bank Head – Middle East. “The success of this partnership has certainly set a benchmark for a working alliance between academic and business institutions in the UAE.”

Dr. Omar Hefni, President of UD, said: “JVFE has proven to be a unique proposition designed to address UAE’s labor market need for the right talent, and to enhance entrepreneurial skills. The Entrepreneurship & business plan preparation workshop has opened doors for not only Emiratis but also expatriate women who have now got closer to realizing their dreams of a small start up.”

Usha Saraf, Manager, CMPD at University of Dubai said: “I can proudly say that this is a one of a kind program being delivered in this region. Although it is the seventh consecutive year, the content of the program has evolved considerably with every passing year making it more relevant, practical and hands-on with full applied content. The rigor of the program demands that participants as well as the trainers (who are industry practitioners) are pushed to yield results and the quality of the individual business plans submitted speak volumes. It is extremely rewarding to be instrumental in enabling the women to realize their potential and in turn contributing directly to the economy of the country.”

Citi has been present in the Arab World for nearly fifty years and continues to view the region as critical to its global franchise. It is currently present in ten Arab countries including Egypt, UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait. Throughout this period, the bank has evolved into an active corporate citizen, with a particular interest in supporting financial literacy, education, and entrepreneurship.

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AMIDEAST, Citi Foundation to Offer Women’s Entrepreneurship Training in Four Countries

Washington, DC/, Kuwait, UAE, Lebanon, Morocco —The American non-profit education organization AMIDEAST and Citi Foundation—Citi’s philanthropic arm—today announced the launch of the Arab Women’s Entrepreneurship Project (AWEP) in four countries: Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, and the UAE.

This initiative, which will be launched in November, aims to provide 80 women entrepreneurs from underserved backgrounds with training that will help them start a new business or expand an existing one.

AMIDEAST will deliver an initial three-week training session that focuses on building entrepreneurship awareness and fundamental business skills, such as how to formulate a business plan, obtain a loan, and handle basic business accounting. This will be followed by a six-month period during which participants will apply what they’ve learned. Mentors from Citi—fielded locally as well as virtually through Citi’s global Women’s Diversity Network—will provide support and assistance to the new entrepreneurs as they confront challenges and problems, and the groups will gather periodically to review progress and share success stories. An online forum will encourage the women to network and support each other during this period.

Expansion of training opportunities for Arab women, particularly in entrepreneurship, is important for improving the region’s development prospects. According to a 2009 study by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the income of women in Arab countries stagnates, on average, at less than one quarter of average national income levels. It also found that women entrepreneurs in Arab countries face greater challenges in accessing training, markets, and finance, although they provide a significant share of female employment and tend to hire more women than do other business entities.

“AMIDEAST is pleased to partner with Citi Foundation to offer a valuable training opportunity for women in Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, and the UAE. AMIDEAST’s approach focuses on empowering women entrepreneurs with skills and techniques that will enable them to more fully realize their economic potential and benefit from networking and mentoring relationships that foster business success,” said AMIDEAST President and CEO Theodore H. Kattouf.

“AWEP is Citi’s first truly regional training project targeting local women entrepreneurs,” said Atiq Ur Rehman, Citi’s Chief Executive Officer for the Middle East. “Our strategic alliance with AMIDEAST ensures that aspiring entrepreneurs in the region will have the chance to lead successful businesses and contribute to job creation in their markets. It also complements our efforts in this domain across various individual markets in MENA.”

Citi has been in the Arab world for nearly 50 years and continues to view the region as critical to its global franchise. It is currently present in ten Arab countries including Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria.

An American nonprofit organization with over 20 offices in the Middle East and North Africa, AMIDEAST works to expand educational opportunities and quality, strengthen the capacity of local institutions, and assist individuals to develop language and business skills necessary for success in the global economy.

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Citi Employee Volunteers in United Arab Emirates to Answer Call to Service as part of Company’s Sixth Annual “Global Community Day”

Dubai – Citi volunteers around the world will demonstrate their commitment to service during the company’s sixth annual “Global Community Day,” on Saturday, October 22. In 78 countries around the world, an expected 40,000 Citi employee volunteers will participate in nearly 1,100 local service projects. In Dubai/United Arab Emirates, Citi volunteers including employees and their families and friends, spent time at Al-Noor Center for Children with Special Needs mixing up with students, making pairs then dividing into groups and try hands-on different activities. The program also included a sports competition, playing with Hamleys characters, and gifts from Hamleys to the students.

Volunteerism is a cornerstone of the Citi employee experience, with many employees regularly engaging in community service year-around. Global Community Day is an opportunity for Citi to showcase and reinforce that shared commitment by inviting employees, families and friends to collaborate as a single global volunteer team. Working throughout North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Citi volunteers will lend their time and expertise to concentrate on local community needs, including literacy, housing, environmental protection, nutrition, health care and disaster relief.

Atiq Ur-Rehman, Citi’s Chief Executive Officer for the Middle East Division, said: “We are committed to be an integral part of the Middle Eastern societies where we maintain a presence for almost half-a-century. The Global Community Day is one way to demonstrate our resolve to fulfill our duty as a responsible corporate citizen in the UAE and elsewhere.”

Highlights of other Citi volunteer projects around the world include:

Citi UAE Celebrates the UAE 40th Anniversary

Women Entrepreneurs Successfully Trained on Business Plan Preparation

Seminar Supported by Citi Foundation and Delivered at University of Dubai for 6th Straight Year

Dubai- "The University of Dubai entrepreneurship course has given me wings - wings to my dream and vision. It was a wonderful experience to be coached and mentored by professionals from the industry, which has given me the insights into the business practices in the region. More importantly, the opportunity to meet like minded budding women entrepreneurs from different backgrounds and expertise will always be an asset. The relationships built during this time will sure be an encouraging hand whenever we need each other's support. The course has provided me the foundation to create my corporate legacy".

Geena George's thoughts resonated well with the other 28 women who attended a rigorous 3 month training program on "Entrepreneurship and Business Plan Development" at the Center for Management & Professional Development, the community outreach arm of the University of Dubai (UD). Held for the 6th year in a row, the program was concluded recently through a certificate award ceremony held at the Dubai Chamber. All participants were felicitated, while awards were presented to the three best business plans.

The Entrepreneurship program for women initiative is part of the Joint Venture for Finance & Entrepreneurship (JVFE), which was established in January 2005 as a joint venture between UD and Citi through an equal grant from the Citi Foundation. The JVFE aims at enhancing the qualifications and skills of UD's merit students specializing in Management, Marketing, Finance & Banking and Accounting, and addresses the entrepreneurial qualifications of women through specialized and focused workshops.

The initiative allows for potential women entrepreneurs to enroll in a fully sponsored training program which shows them how to develop their business ideas into functioning enterprises managed by them on a full time basis, the necessary skills, and knowledge base.

This year's program also featured acclaimed trainers and guest speakers who enriched the program by sharing their valuable experiences with the trainees

"Our ongoing strategic alliance with UD means that more deserving students as well as aspiring entrepreneurs will have the chance to succeed and excel in the UAE," said Sanjoy Sen, Citibank's Consumer Bank Head - Middle East."The success of the JVFE has set a benchmark for a working alliance between academic and business institutions in the UAE."

Dr. Omar Hefni, President of UD, said: "JVFE has proven to be a unique proposition designed to address UAE's labor market need for the right talent, and to enhance entrepreneurial skills. The Entrepreneurship & business plan preparation workshop has opened doors for not only Emiratis but also expatriate women who have now got closer to realizing their dreams of a small start up."

Usha Saraf, Manager, CMPD at University of Dubai said: "I can proudly say that this is a one of a kind program being delivered in this region. Although it is the sixth consecutive year, the content of the program has evolved considerably with every passing year making it more relevant, practical and hands-on with full applied content. The rigor of the program demands that participants as well as the trainers (who are industry practitioners) are pushed to yield results and the quality of the individual business plans submitted speak volumes. It is extremely rewarding to be instrumental in enabling the women to realize their potential and in turn contributing directly to the economy of the country."

Participants' Comments on 6th Entrepreneurship and Business Plan Development Program :

Yasmin Kamal Sabri Ali

I would like to thank you, the Center for Management & Professional Development & the University of Dubai for the very wonderful & useful opportunity you've offered me during the past four months. I've learned a lot through out the program, was able to put my dream on papers, with figures, analysis and plans.This should enable me to take the first step, soon.It is an experience I'll never forget, will always look up to and cherish.

Sheonalli K. Malhotra

The course has been a short concise MBA with focus on the basic concepts around considerations required to be kept foremost around business planning. The same concepts can be leveraged to planning a new project or product within a going concern. The training focus was around practical, out-of-textbook instructions from very accomplished and knowledgeable team of instructors with a wealth of practical experience from the Industry. The class discussions and exercises were fun and made for a very interactive learning experience. The attendance to the course was a group of carefully selected women from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. The guest speakers over the weekend were stuff we would look forward to and sit in awe of the interesting discussions on Saturday afternoons. Getting this together and making it tick is a great achievement for the managers of the course. This has been a very enriching and unique experience personally for myself and I am looking forward to using the knowledge and training in practical life situations. Thank you for the opportunity

ANNUM M. AWAN

As a young ambitious individual I've always wanted to manage my own business however the lack of business start-up education would always make me think otherwise. But now, having learnt the A- Z of starting my business, I definitely feel confident and motivated to step into the market with my business idea. The best part of the program was to interact with fellow entrepreneurs and exchange and improve on ideas. The weekly guest lectures from business owners was also very informative and helped to boost our motivation!

Doaa Tahboub

After applying for the course, I received a call from University of Dubai the day I delivered my first baby asking me to sit for an interview as part of their admission process. With the course due to start in 2 weeks, I was taken by fear & apprehension of not being able to juggle between the two worlds. Four months later, I'm so glad that I had decided to attend. This course didn't only teach us the principles of developing a solid business plan, but it has also provided us with unlimited support, advice, contacts, tools, & knowledge required for transforming our dreams into reality.

The experience of meeting people from all walks of life was such an eye opener to a world of possibilities. Today, this entrepreneurial course has helped me realize my dreams & has given me the confidence needed to take this challenge a step further in my life.

I hope that, a year from now, my business would be up & running with similar success as our inspiring guest speakers have experienced. Finally I would like to thank my wonderful classmates, instructors, guest speakers, & management for this unforgettable experience. This is an opportunity which I advise anyone who's eager to set up their own business not to miss.

Sherry Farid Wadie

The positive points about this course were as follows:

Most of the instructors were more than qualified to teach this course and did an excellent job of giving us the necessary information. I say most because a couple of them had the necessary information but were not very successful in passing it onto us for different reasons; the weekday classes were the most beneficial because they were structured and built upon each other; the camaraderie and bonding between the participants was undeniably the best part of the whole process; the materials provided were excellent and will be a great reference for future; the classroom atmosphere was great and the best part of the whole course was the brilliant, multi-talented, patient and wonderful coordinator of the program.

In general, I'm proud to have been selected for this program and it was a privilege to have participated and met all those wonderful female entrepreneurs in the program. I plan to stay in touch with most of the lecturers and my colleagues long after this program has finished. It's an excellent opportunity and would recommend it to all my business minded friends.

Geena George

Just as one advertisement says, the CMPD Entrepreneurship course has given me wings - wings to my dream and vision. It was a wonderful experience to be coached and mentored by professionals from the industry, which has given me the insights into the business practices in the region. More importantly, the opportunity to meet like minded budding women entrepreneurs from different backgrounds and expertise will always be an asset. The relationships built during this time will sure be an encouraging hand whenever we need each other's support. The course has provided me the foundation to create my corporate legacy

Sadhana Natali-Khan

"It was a privilege to have completed this course. The course was invaluable as a tool to assisting in business planning covering all aspects of starting a business in Dubai. I am extremely fortunate to have had the information and knowledge from experts in their fields and to have completed the course with a group of likeminded, inspiring and intelligent women with great ideas. Thank you for the opportunity!"

Jacquelyn Murphy

The 2010 Entrepreneurship Training Course proved to be a unexpected gift in the development of my business. It opened my mind to entrepreneurship thinking, gave me a sense of the business culture of the UAE and forced me to consider a variety of factors I would never have considered vital to the development of my business. It made me question myself and my idea many times over and yet in the end made me far more confident about what I was doing and why. It also introduced me a group of women, from different cultures and backgrounds, who have supported and challenged me on a number of levels and whom I hope will form an invaluable alumni for years to come.

Citibank Launches Safeer Mall Financial Center

Located Close to Customers in Sharjah's Commercial District

Added to 5 Existing Financial Centers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Sharjah- Citibank, a member of Citi, yesterday inaugurated the Safeer Mall Financial Center in the presence of several dignitaries and officials including H.E Sheikh Tariq Bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Chairman of Emirates Investment Group, Dr. Obaid Ahmed Al Tunaijy, Member of the Consultative Council of Sharjah, and Mr. Zakariya Al Suwaidi, Director of the Central Bank branch in Sharjah.

Located on the busy Dubai-Sharjah Road (Ittihad Road), the Safeer Mall Financial Center is Citibank's sixth Financial Center (or Electronic Banking Unit) in the country providing customers with a full suite of banking services closer to their homes.

Inauguration event was hosted by Marc Luet, CEO of Citi's Consumer Banking Group for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, who is currently visiting the UAE, as well as Sanjoy Sen, Citibank's Consumer Bank Head - Middle East, Pakistan and North Africa region, and Aqil Jaffer Ali, Director of Branches and Wealth Management - Citibank UAE.

Citibank Financial Centers offer a wide range of personalized financial planning solutions to help customers achieve their financial goals in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere, as well as a basket of business and financial solutions for Small & Mid-Market Enterprises. These include a complete range of Cash Management, Trade, Treasury and Lending solutions.

"Opening of Safeer Mall Financial Center is in line with our goal to serve our valued clients in the most convenient and efficient manner," said Atiq ur Rehman, Citi's Chief Executive Officer for the Middle East Division. "We want to serve clients close to home and office by offering Citi's comprehensive banking platform through the most accessible channel."

"The Financial Center in Sharjah, will offer customers the convenience of being served from the most convenient location in Safeer Mall on the main Ittihad Road," remarked Sanjoy Sen. "We re- affirm our commitment to Sharjah with the opening of the new centre. Also, this is in line with our aim to do the right thing in the right way. We felt the need to cater to our increasing client base in Sharjah and thus the new financial centre came into being."

Citi has been in the Middle East for nearly 50 years and currently offers consumer-banking services in the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt. Citibank, the consumer banking arm of Citi, has had a presence in the UAE for the past 47 years, and is expanding its major operations within the country.

Citibank is currently a major player in the UAE's credit card market and a leading provider of Wealth Management and Consumer Credit services. The bank has been operating in Sharjah for the last 28 years, having opened its branch at Al-Arouba Street on June 7th 1983.

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CITI foundation provides $50,000 grant to INJAZ UAE

IN SUPPORT OF BANKS IN ACTION AND ENTREPRENEURIAL MASTERCLASS PROGRAMS TARGETING 1375 UAE STUDENTS

Dubai - Citi Foundation, Citi's social investment arm, today announced a $50,000 grant to Injaz UAE, an affiliate of JA Worldwide® (Junior Achievement), for the implementation of JA Banks in Action at the Higher Colleges of Technology, and the JA Entrepreneurship Masterclass (EMC) at 15 schools around the UAE reaching out to 1375 UAE students.

The announcement was made at the heels of the JA Regional Board Meeting held today in Dubai, attended by Francesco Vanni d'Archirafi, Chief Executive Officer of Global Transaction Services at Citi, and Chairman of Junior Achievement - Young Enterprise Europe. The Board reviewed McKinsey & Company's commissioned study on JA's progress in the Arab world, and discussed JA's achievements and milestones since its formal inception in the region in 2002.

"Citi is a strategic partner to JA Worldwide through annual grants, volunteer efforts and active membership in JA's local, regional and global boards. The bank is a strong supporter of JA programs across the Middle East as we believe they are invaluable to everyone involved," Francesco Vanni d'Archirafi said.

"JA's programs provide students with practical entrepreneurship, financial literacy and work readiness skills that are a vital supplement to the academic syllabus taught at school. The courses are delivered by volunteers from the member companies that work with JA, who also benefit significantly from the broader engagement and development of their talent, the lifeblood of their business," continued Mr. Vanni d'Archirafi.

Citi is a global partner with JA Worldwide® (Junior Achievement) which provides hands-on, experiential learning to over 9 million students annually. Across the globe, JA has nearly 385,000 volunteers teaching over 360,000 classes. In the Middle East, INJAZ Al-Arab, JA's regional arm, has trained 300,000 Arab students with the help of 10,000 corporate volunteers and partnerships with ministries of education since its inception in 1999.

The Higher Colleges of Technology is a strategic partner to both Citi and Injaz UAE. Founded in 1988, the HCT now boast 14 campuses across the UAE with more than 17,000 students. The Colleges are dedicated to the delivery of top technical and professional programs, and to graduate students with relevant skills to UAE's dynamic labor market.

A truly international program, the Banks in Action (BIA) program will benefit 250 HCT students eager to intimate themselves with the banking environment. Spanning eight consecutive sessions, this volunteer-led program teaches students about the banking industry and career opportunities in the sector through virtual simulations and competitions in which teams of students assume the role of bankers and make banking decisions.

On the other hand, the JA Entrepreneurship Masterclass (EMC) workshop is designed to take 1125 target students in 12 schools through an interactive challenge of setting up and managing their own businesses. It also brings the next generation in close contact with the current workforce and entrepreneurs to help them understand the basic skills required to succeed in the private sector.

A half-day seminar, EMC challenges students to plan their own careers as entrepreneurs and to identify key entrepreneurial aptitudes and skills, while training them on leveraging support for their enterprises, including finance and professional advice.

Both programs are highly interactive, utilizing online computer simulations, "company" competitions and teamwork. Students form groups to operate banks and private enterprises, and face up to a set of challenging situations experienced in the real world. They make "corporate" decisions and choices that would, in turn, affect their ability to survive and thrive.

"We believe that by developing the skill set of the next generation through our people, we can make a positive difference in more than 100 communities that host us worldwide," remarked Mr. Vanni d'Archirafi.

Citi has been in the Arab world for nearly 50 years and continues to view the region as critical to its global franchise. It is currently present in 10 Arab countries including Egypt, UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.

The CITI Foundation enters its third year of support for the higher Colleges of Technology

Provides USD 100,000 to Bachelor Degree Seekers

Abu Dhabi - The Citi Foundation recently renewed its support for the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) through a third year USD 100,000 grant dedicated to the Citi-Sponsored Bachelor Scholarships Program.

Launched in 2007, the Citi-Sponsored Bachelor Scholarships Program has so far supported 31 HCT students who opted for upgrading their qualifications to a Bachelor degree level from the current 3-year Higher Diploma credentials.

The added academic qualifications concentrate on areas of Business and Financial Services such as Accounting, Financial Services, Human Resources, Marketing, Travel and Tourism, and e-Business Management, hence enhancing the students' employment opportunities.

Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), said "the Citi-Sponsored Bachelor Scholarships Program brings many UAE nationals closer to realizing their post-academic work plans and adds value to our objective of linking academia to the business world for the full benefit of our students. Our students appreciate this unique proposition which is designed to fulfill labor market need for the right talent."

Alberto Verme, CEO of Europe, Middle East & Africa for Citi, said: "the program's objectives are in line with Citi's efforts to support financial and entrepreneurial education across the world. Our strategic alliance with HCT ensures that deserving students will have the chance to excel. The success of this program also sets a benchmark for a working alliance between academic and business institutions in the UAE."

Founded in 1988, the Higher Colleges of Technology now boast 14 campuses across the UAE with more than 17,000 students. The Colleges are dedicated to the delivery of top technical and professional programs, and to graduate students with relevant skills to UAE's dynamic labor market.

Citi has been in the Middle East for nearly 50 years and continues to view the Arab World as a critical part of the Bank's global franchise. It is currently present in ten Arab countries including Egypt, UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.

Entrepreneurship Program for Women Trains 23 Women Entrepreneurs

Supported by Citi Foundation and Provided at CMPD, University of Dubai for 5th Straight Year

Dubai- "I believe that I'm much more confident and competent of what I will introduce in my field of work. Applying a business, market and financial plan of which are partially ready…I've learnt the fundamentals of becoming an entrepreneur and I was guided to realize the proper way to start a business. I've started by applying what I have learnt into my own business plan; doing market researches and market segmentation to develop a real business plan."

Hessa Mohammad's thoughts resonated well with the other 22 women who attended a rigorous 3 month training program on "Entrepreneurship and Business Plan Development" at the Center for Management & Professional Development, the community outreach arm of the University of Dubai (UD). Held for the 5th year in a row, the program was concluded recently through a certificate award ceremony held at the Samaya Hotel next to the Dubai Chamber. All participants were felicitated, while awards were presented to the three best business plans.

This year's program also featured acclaimed trainers and guest speakers who enriched the program by sharing their valuable experiences with the trainees, including:

Ms. Rama Chakaki, founder and CEO of Baraka Group, a management and consulting firm in Dubai.
Ms. Sarah Feyling - a one time trainee of the 2006 batch and currently a successful entrepreneur and managing director of her own company called The Wedding Planner.
Ms. Azza Al Qubaisi, UAE's premier jewelry designer- who has created and launched the brand Arjmst.
Feroz Sanaulla, Director at Intel Capital covering the Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META) region.
Fred F. Korangy, founder of Venture Capital firm New Enterprise East Investments.
Ms. Tasneem Mayet, Senior VP and Head of investments for Forsa.

"Our ongoing strategic alliance with UD means that more deserving students as well as aspiring entrepreneurs will have the chance to succeed and excel in the UAE," said Mohammed Al-Shroogi, Managing Director for the Middle East and Chief Executive Officer for Citi in the UAE. "The success of the JVFE sets a benchmark for a working alliance between academic and business institutions in the UAE."

Dr. Omar Hefni, President of UD, said: "JVFE has proven to be a unique proposition designed to address UAE's labor market need for the right talent, and to enhance entrepreneurial skills. The scholarship program as well as the Entrepreneurship workshop have already brought many UAE nationals and residents closer to realizing their post-academic work plans."

Usha Saraf, Manager, CMPD at University of Dubai said: "I can proudly say that this is a one of a kind program being delivered in this region. Although it is the fifth consecutive year, the content of the program has evolved considerably with every passing year making it more relevant, practical and hands-on with full applied content. The rigor of the program demands that participants as well as the trainers (who are industry practitioners) are pushed to yield results and the quality of the individual business plans submitted speak volumes. It is extremely rewarding to be instrumental in enabling the women to realize their dreams."

Citi Mobilizes More Than 40,000 Volunteers Across 90 Countries for "Global Community Day"

Citibank UAE Volunteers Work with UAE Red Crescent to Entertain Orphan Children at Dubai Creek Park

Dubai - Citibank volunteers in Dubai joined more than 40,000 Citi volunteers in 90 countries for the company's fourth annual "Global Community Day" on November 7th. More than 300 volunteers from Citibank, including employees and their families and friends, spent quality time at the Dubai Creek Park with 100 orphaned children, who are being looked after by the Red Crescent.

Many Citi employees volunteer year-round in their communities but Global Community Day provides an annual opportunity to have company employees, along with their families and friends, come together as a global volunteer team. Local volunteer groups worked in North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa on a variety of projects addressing specific community needs including literacy, housing, environmental protection, nutrition, and health care.

"On Global Community Day, Citi employees, together with their family and friends, volunteered their special skills and expertise in more than 90 countries with one goal in mind - to make a difference in the communities where we live and work," said Pam Flaherty, President and Chief Executive Officer, Citi Foundation and Director, Corporate Citizenship. "Community engagement is very important, especially during these difficult economic times, when the needs are so great. Whether it is teaching financial education to young people; planting trees to combat deforestation; refurbishing schools in poor communities; or serving meals to the homeless, Citi employees turn out to help because volunteering is one of many ways that Citi strengthens the communities where we live and work."

The day out with the orphan children group was full of adventure and happy moments. Citi employees and friends toured the Park's Children City, an educational center devoted to children between 2 - 15 years old where all investigated the world in which we live in a fun way, with topics ranging from nature and space to human body and international cultures.

Following a great tour, the group enjoyed lunch at the Park, while Hamleys Teddy Bear, Batman and Wonder Woman characters, provided by Hamleys, kept everyone entertained. Gifts were then distributed to children by Alberto Verme, CEO of Europe, Middle East & Africa for Citi, who in turn received a trophy from the UAE Red Crescent, presented by Red Crescent's Dubai Manager, Mr. Mohammed Al-Zaroni, as a token of appreciation.

"The Global Community Day is one way to demonstrate our resolve to fulfill our duty as a responsible corporate citizen in the UAE and elsewhere in the region. We are committed to be an integral part of the Middle Eastern societies where we've maintained a presence for more than half-a-century, and we intend on being socially active and serving the community on an ongoing basis," commented Mr. Verme.