Young Emirati entrepreneurs have something to look forward to this winter in Dubai. Home-grown businesses that are run by Emiratis are being given a leg-up by the Global Village, the multicultural amusement/food/entertainment park and major tourist draw.

For the park's 20th anniversary, coming up in November, Emiratis are being given the chance to showcase their entrepreneurial spirit. The Global Village has partnered with the Dubai SME for this. Ahmad Hussain bin Essa, chief operating officer at the Global Village, said they will provide "more than 30 kiosks with a discounted rate of 50 per cent, to help budding business owners have a platform where they can support and promote their business ventures".

Some Emiratis Khaleej Times spoke to said the initiative was a great idea.

Nasif Kayed, managing director of the Shaikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU), said it's a good thing to give youngsters a platform.

"Your first idea doesn't make you a millionaire. Entrepreneurs need time to try out stuff that works. You rise and you fall and you rise and you fall, and then you hit on an idea that works."

Kayed believes the Global Village platform will be helpful to emerging entrepreneurs.

"Look, our Emirati ancestors were all pearl divers and fisherman. Today, there are a handful of options for young Emiratis - you join the government, you join the private sector or you become an entrepreneur or a businessman. It's a great idea for Global Village to showcase the business and entrepreneurial skills of young Emiratis - food, or handicrafts, or whatever it is."

Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of Dubai SME, said: "We are glad to join forces with Global Village once again this year to give Emiratis a chance to exhibit their products in a dynamic international environment."

The names and kinds of local Emirati enterprises haven't been disclosed yet.