Doha, May 21 (QNA) - A panel discussion held on the sidelines of the Doha International Book Fair highlighted ways to develop national talent, the importance of passion in shaping career paths, and the role of innovation and strategic planning in advancing creative industries.

Participants in the session, titled "Creative Industries: Between Passion and Sustainability," stressed the importance of fostering healthy and motivating work environments that invest in young talent and provide opportunities for professional and intellectual growth, enabling them to innovate and compete across various sectors.

The speakers praised the State's continued support for innovation and the empowerment of national talent, as well as its investment in human capital and knowledge, which they described as a cornerstone of building a sustainable and creative economy. They also highlighted Qatar's resources and supportive infrastructure that help nurture talent and prepare future leaders in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

Dr. Buthaina Al Ansari, an expert in strategic planning and sustainable development, said the rapid evolution of knowledge requires a greater focus on developing workforce skills, particularly among recent graduates, through continuous training and alignment with labour market needs. She underscored the significance of providing professional incentives and reducing employee turnover.

She stressed the need to invest in young talent and integrate them into clear career paths based on merit, while giving them meaningful responsibilities that reflect their capabilities and skills. She also highlighted the importance of designing programmes that nurture passion among young people in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.

Al Ansari said that planning and passion are closely linked, but noted that strategic planning plays a critical role in ensuring sustainability and achieving tangible outcomes. She added that Qatar offers a supportive environment that enables young people to develop their skills and pursue their ambitions.

On the future of creative industries in Qatar, she said the country has multiple mechanisms to support local production and creative sectors through clear incentives and institutional backing. She attributed this to Qatar's advanced approach to developing and training graduates, which has received international recognition.

For her part, Senior Director for Innovation Development and Piloting Programs at the Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council Nada Al Olaqi affirmed the Council's commitment to nurturing innovative ideas and building a supportive ecosystem for innovation.

She said the Council is working to strengthen the innovation landscape through several initiatives, most notably supporting startups and entrepreneurs at different stages of growth to enhance their competitiveness.

Al Olaqi noted that the Council encourages innovators to strengthen collaboration with both public and private sector entities to help translate innovations into practical applications. This includes supporting national talent and forming qualified teams to lead innovation projects across various sectors.

She added that the Council supports companies with capable teams and clear growth strategies, noting that its programmes provide innovators with opportunities to exchange expertise with leading international specialists.

Al Olaqi emphasized that supporting innovation is a shared responsibility among academia, government institutions, and the private sector, adding that the Council's initiatives are designed to create an integrated ecosystem that connects different sectors in project development.

She further noted that all grants provided by the Council promote collaboration and partnership, with a focus on developing innovative solutions that serve key sectors in the country and supporting teams with the potential to grow and expand locally and internationally. (QNA)