His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Qassim Region, today patronised the ceremony of the "Riyad 26" entrepreneurship forum at the King Khalid Cultural Center in Buraidah. The event, organised with the Mujtamai Foundation as strategic partner, was attended by HRH Prince Saud bin Faisal bin Mishaal, deputy chairman of the foundation's board of trustees, and involved 95 government and private entities.

The governor said helping young men and women enter the job market, work for themselves and launch start-ups is among his top priorities. He recalled that the "Self-Made Young Man" award was one of the first steps in promoting self-employment and encouraging young people to overcome the stigma attached to some occupations, before the Mujtamai Foundation took over the award and continued its work.

"Our aim is for every young man and woman to find an opportunity to work, produce and realise their ambitions," he said, adding that anyone who helps employ and empower the nation's youth renders a great service to society and the country.

The forum welcomed more than 10 thousand visitors. Its hackathon received 347 start-up projects, of which 45 qualified, involving 147 entrepreneurs. A total of 45 agreements were signed, including one with The Chefz app to help productive families grow their businesses and market their products beyond Qassim to other regions of the Kingdom.

Sultan Al-Harbi, regional director for the northern sector at the Social Development Bank, spoke on behalf of the partners. Closing the ceremony, the governor praised the foundation and its partners, saying that investing in young people's abilities is an investment in the nation's future and supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.