MBRE- EO

Dubai, July 14, 2010: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (MBRE), part of the Dubai Department of Economic Development, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) to support the growth of small and medium enterprises across all sectors of the economy through effective networking and promotion.

The MoU was signed by His Excellency Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of MBRE for SME Development, and the President of EO, Mr. Amer Qavi.

As per the MoU, MBRE will extend support to businesses referred by EO, which will be considered as part of the extended business community in Business Village. This will enable EO to be actively involved in various events, networking and learning activities.

Business Village, with its conference facility, is a potential venue for various types of the events. Both organisations will also inform and encourage their members to participate in learning events, speaker events, networking sessions, interest groups and other social activities, organised by EO or MBRE.

His Excellency Abdul Baset Al Janahi said: “The MoU with EO will open doors for entrepreneurs to discover new opportunities in the fields of SMEs. This initiative is a clear reflection of our commitment to strengthen the performance of the small and medium businesses, in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President & Prime Minister of UAE, Ruler of Dubai, to support the SME sector to be a key player in the economic development in Dubai and the UAE”.

From his side, Amer Qavi, President,  EO – UAE, said: “The silver lining to the financial crisis has been the realization that SME’s are the backbone of economic activity. This MoU represents a major step in focusing on, and bringing about measurable change to, that reality; helping fuel the entrepreneurial engine by providing knowledge, tools and expertise that both our organizations have to offer. I am extremely excited by the prospect of the MBRE and EO working closely together on key entrepreneurial initiatives in the UAE”.

EO will be an active contributor to the SME survey which is led by MBRE, which includes feedback from EO members on the challenges faced by SMEs in Dubai, on knowledge, organizational or policy levels.

The EO (Entrepreneurs’ Organization) is a community of leading entrepreneurs that enriches members’ lives, professionally and personally, through peer-to-peer learning, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and connections to experts.

• Meets Ministry of Economy and the German- Emarati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce

AHK - Dubai Chamber event

Dubai, 12 July 2010: Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (MBRE), an agency of the Department of Economic Development in Dubai, organized a meeting with the German – Emarati Council for Industry and Commerce and Ministry of Economy to highlight MBRE’s five-year plan and the important initiatives associated with the growth of small and medium enterprises in the country.

His Excellency Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO MBRE for SME Development, said: “The meeting was important in reviewing the latest developments in the small and medium business sector, and in learning learn about the opportunities available in Dubai and UAE, and the best practices in the field.”

“We evaluated the best SME practices during our visit to Germany and the policies which drive these practices. We have reviewed the performance of the SME sector in Dubai in line with our commitment to further enhance the sector by exchanging expertise and information,” he added.

Mr. Alexander Williams, Director of Strategy and policy, represented MBRE and presented a paper on the results of the growth recorded in small and medium businesses. Other related topics including the partnership with the German – Emarati Council for Industry and Commerce, and how can they work towards promoting SME growth were discussed.

Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development, has also signed a MoU with the German – Emarati Council for Industry and Commerce to enhance cooperation in various aspects related to SMEs.

Seminar hosted jointly with Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – June 1, 2010: A seminar entitled “Hand in hand to support UAE exporters” was jointly hosted by the Dubai Export Development Corporation (EDC), an agency of the Dubai Department of Economic Development, Government of Dubai, and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Size Enterprises to enhance the export and commercial opportunities for UAE entrepreneurs, as well as to assist them in improving their performance in the global market. The seminar was attended by over 40 representatives from small and medium local businesses across the UAE.

Discussed at the seminar were features and profits within the exports sector, in addition to the EDC’s contribution to the economic diversification of the UAE’s economy. Also highlighted were the facilities and government benefits that business owners and investors can gain from while in the process of development of their business.

Engineer Saed Al Awadi, Chief Executive Officer, EDC, said during his speech at the seminar: “We continue to collaborate with several local and international organisations in providing support and facilities to improve the quality of our domestic industry and services and enhance the local companies’ access to target markets. This is parallel with the vision of the UAE government, which aims to promote economic diversification and development of new economic sectors to solidify the stability of our economy in the short and long term.”

“Dubai is working to develop exports according to key criteria, and to increase the value of exports, which has increased by 370% in the last five years, as well as opening new markets for existing exporters to increase their growth within the three main stages of the export process,” Al Awadi added.

Abdul Baset Al Janahi, Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Size Enterprises, said at the seminar: “Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Size Enterprises adopts a comprehensive program designed to promote the concept of entrepreneurship, and encourage and support UAE nationals to participate actively in the growth of national economy.

“The role of the institution is based mainly on reducing barriers to entrepreneurs and investors in the UAE as well as providing more investment opportunities through the ongoing business development consultations, government services and financial assistance among others. This seminar aims to encourage the creative ideas of the UAE business owners, and exporters to help them in entering new international markets.”

Also reviewed at the seminar were a number of success stories about identifying experiences, learning how to overcome the challenge of establishing companies, and achieving success. Companies highlighted at the seminar were Lammtara Pictures, Jowder Group for General Maintenance & Landscaping, and the Heritage Tents for Henna

Dubai, May 19, 2010: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (MBRE), a part of the Dubai Department of Economic Development, has been positioned as an ideal model of SME development at the Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship, which was held in Washington DC on April 26 and 27, 2010, hosted by US President Barack Obama. Participants considered MBRE as the only institution in the region that created a distinguished model for encouraging Entrepreneurship by adopting the latest international standards since its establishment from seven years ago.

His Excellency Abdul Baset al Janahi – CEO of MBRE who attended the event said the success is a true reflection of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who is aware of the importance of SME development and is keen to strengthen the performance of this vital sector to the global level. “His Highness was always supportive of the sector, and his vision for the Establishment is for it to serve as a professional training ground for SMEs and entrepreneurship and an incubator for innovation and creativity,” he added.

Sheikha Hanadi Bint Nasser Bin Khaled Al Thani from Qatar praised MBRE during the conference for its remarkable achievements in the field of entrepreneurship and SMEs in the Arab world. She said the advanced system adopted by MBRE many years ago has contributed to enhancing the role of SMEs in the UAE and the region.

“Our participation in this summit, has opened new outlooks for strategic partnerships with the SME sector in America and worldwide. We discussed the factors of cooperation and our experiences in the sector. We also met organizations and discuss opportunities for future collaboration,” added His Excellency Abdul Baset al Janahi.

President Obama has inaugurated the Presidential Summit, which was attended by high-ranking US government officials, senior executives, economic experts and SME specialists from around the world. The summit also hosted a number of workshops and seminars.

Dubai, UAE, 28 April 2010: In another first-time initiative in the UAE, du announced today that it will be franchising its du Shops in various phases throughout 2010. This comes as part of its ongoing strategy to provide a unique and convenient experience for customers.  The project will expand du’s retail scope and boost convenience for customers throughout the UAE, providing greater flexibility and availability through the proliferation of anytime, anywhere du outlets.

The company launched the first step in the franchise module today, as part of its partnership with the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme for Young Business Leaders - part of Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development. The collaboration will give priority to UAE national entrepreneurs when applying for a franchise with du, providing them with the opportunity to showcase their abilities and grow professionally.

“This initiative is yet another example of du’s commitment to providing customers with easy and convenient ‘anytime, anywhere’ accessibility, by broadening du’s retail scope across the UAE, while also offering a unique customer experience with a local flavour,” commented Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du.

“We are proud to announce our partnership with the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme. This first phase in our franchise module aims to support the state’s Emiratisation efforts – in-line with our own Emiritisation strategy - by giving UAE nationals entrepreneurs the chance to develop the state’s small and medium enterprises (SME) business sector and thereby enabling them to contribute to the UAE’s economy,” commented Faraidooni.

As part of the franchise project, du will give support to its selected franchisees by providing them with training and marketing collateral, as well as suggesting suitable locations to set up their retail outlets. The company’s support plan aims to assist local entrepreneurs in establishing their businesses, while also ensuring du customer relations are maintained at the  highest standards.

“Our partnership with du comes in-line with our commitment to affiliate with different organisations in Dubai to strengthen the participation of UAE nationals in the business sector. du is one of the UAE’s fastest and most successful companies and will therefore benefit small and medium businesses through this project by helping them to develop and grow,” commented Abdul Baset Al Janahi, Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development.

The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme for Young Business Leaders forms part of the ‘Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation’, which promotes human development and provides hope and opportunity by investing in education and knowledge-development in the region. The Foundation aims to open doors for future generations of leaders in the region and shape their future by equipping them with world-class knowledge and education.

Staying in touch is a primary requisite of both individuals and eterprises. Telecommunications today forms an integral part of the UAE economy. The franchise opportunity provides a golden scope for self-driven UAE nationals to make the most of today and secure a prosperous future for themselves and also contribute to the growth of the economy. The Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme for Young Business Leaders invites interested UAE nationals to apply for the opportunity through the establishment.

Dubai, 24 April 2010: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (MBRE), a part of the Dubai Department of Economic Development, will participate in the Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship, to be held in Washington DC on April 26 and 27, 2010, hosted by US President Barack Obama. A delegation from MBRE, led by His Excellency Abdul Baset al Janahi - CEO, will attend the summit.

“This invitation is a testament to the important position that MBRE enjoys on the international entrepreneurial map. MBRE is the first organization in the region to develop entrepreneurial skills and to provide an encouraging environment for enterprises to flourish, by supporting the creativity and innovation of young business leaders. Selecting MBRE to participate in this summit with other global organisations marks the successes achieved by the establishment during the past years, by supporting more than 9000 young business leader and facilitating their access to more than AED700 million in government contracts,” said  Abdul Baset.

“Under the guidance and visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, MBRE has helped establish a new generation of young creative entrepreneurs like Mohammed Harib, Ahmad and Rashed Bin Shbeeb and Maitha Al Dousari who are role models for young business leaders in the region,” he added.

“Our participation in this event comes in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed to improve the performance of MBRE to meet international standards and become a leader in developing the SME sector. This participation also confirms the US interest in enhancing communication with the MBRE and creating real partnerships to benefit the SME sector in the UAE and the region,” explained Basit.

“Through our participation in this summit, we are looking forward to open new outlooks for strategic partnerships with SME sector in America and worldwide. We will discuss the factors of cooperation and our experiences in the sector. We will also meet many organizations and discuss opportunities for future collaboration. We expect that these discussions will result in developing a number MOUs,” he said.

U.S. Ambassador to the UAE Richard Olson welcomed the announcement of the Presidential Summit, saying, “This is one of many ways in which the United States is fulfilling President Obama’s call in Cairo to build strong partnerships based on mutual respect and mutual interests.  I am particularly pleased to see a large delegation from the UAE, as I firmly believe that the UAE participants in this Presidential Summit will bring a unique perspective from one of the most entrepreneurial economies in the region.”

President Obama will inaugurate the Presidential Summit, which will be attended by high-ranking US government officials, senior executives, economic experts and SME specialists from around the world. The summit will host a number of workshops and seminars.

Over 600 young entrepreneurs to showcase their projects

Dubai, March 31, 2010: The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) and Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development, a part of the Department of Economic Development, inaugurated today the Young Entrepreneur Competition 2010 (YEC) exhibition at The Dubai Mall. This year, more than 600 participants – twice the number compared to last year - will showcase their projects at the event, which is organized Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and supported by du as the main sponsor.

MBRE for the second year is collaborating with The Dubai Mall to organise the exhibition that will open its doors for visitors from 10:00 am till 10:00 pm (4-10 pm on Friday) from 21 March and 3 April, where students are displaying their products and ideas. Participating projects will be assessed based on different standards, marking the students’ first step towards becoming a part of the small and medium business sector. As the main sponsor, du will set up four kiosks offering a chance for University students to get a first-hand experience in retailing telecom products and services to visitors at the exhibition.

YEC exhibition has attracted this year an impressive 600 entrepreneurs from various categories which reflects the trust and attention gained by the competition year over year.

Since its inception in 2005, YEC has succeeded in encouraging entrepreneurial spirit within youngsters from high schools and universities across the UAE. The contest also conveys the concept of small and medium enterprises and business environments to the younger generation. The large and growing turnout at the competition reflects that it has effectively succeeded in preparing young business leaders.

For further information, please visit www.yec.ae

Dubai, 15th February 2010: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (MBRE), an agency of the Department of Economic Development, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dubai Statistics Center (DSC) to collect and analyze statistics on Dubai’s SMEs.  This follows the successful launch of the first official definition of SMEs of Dubai.  With the availability of SME statistics, the government of Dubai will now be able to publish and share SME statistics and research that will bring the Dubai SME agenda a notch higher.  It will also help other stakeholders understand the SME sector more objectively.  The SME statistics will also help the government baseline and landscape the SME sector for future strategic plans and policies as part of the larger economic development agenda of Dubai.

His Excellency Abdul Baset Al Janahi, Chief Executive Officer of the MBRE, and Aref Obaid Al Muhairi, Executive Director, DSC agreed that sharing information and conducting specific research on the state of Dubai’s SME sector could dramatically change how we approach, and formulate policies for the development of the sector.

“Small and medium enterprises account for up to 98.5 % of Dubai’s companies and 61% of the total workforce,” said Al Janahi, “and working with the DSC is an excellent way to understand the state of the SME sector and its characteristics. This is a great initiative to gather data on the most important sectors in the economy. The SME statistics will capture data by employment size and turnover, and by the three key sectors of Trading, Manufacturing and Services.  A key aspect of the data sets will be to calculate the SME value-add contribution over the last few years as a percentage of Dubai’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and see what the growth trends and patterns of the SME sector are like.” Such SME statistics will be the first of its kind in Dubai and the UAE. It will be a start to develop more complex statistics on SMEs over time. 

The Statistics Centre will support the research through a series of surveys, studies and consultations.

Al Muhairi described the collaboration as the perfect way for the DSC to play a role in gathering economic data: “The Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development is known as a great institution for the development and growth of small and medium sized businesses and we our delighted to support that. It’s an exciting challenge for us and we will work side by side with the MBRE to provide the most accurate findings.”

According to this MoU, the Dubai Statistics Center will provide statistical data and reports about SMEs for MBRE through a special screen within the electronic statistical system starting from 2011.  For a start, the MBRE and DSC will begin the process of mining the existing database to analyze and publish the first Dubai SME statistical bulletin by the middle of 2010.

Business Village Provides fully integrated services and solutions for entrepreneurs and existing small and medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Dubai, 10 February 2010: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (MBRE), one of the Department of Economic Development establishments, today announced that more than 30 companies from the public and private sectors moved their operations to the premises of its pioneering project ‘The Business Village’.

Launched in the summer of 2009, Business Village is an ideal environment for young and existing businesses to develop in Dubai. Business Village aims to provide support, guidance and all levels of facilitation to make it easy for businesses to start and grow.

Raafat Rudwan Wahbeh, Manager of the Business Village, said: “We are committed to providing all means of support required for the growth of small and medium businesses. By moving their operations to the Business Village, private and public organisations will play an important role in helping us achieve our mutual goals. To have all these companies under one roof, will help providing fully integrated services that will facilitate the development of small businesses.”

“The Business Village aims to attract young business leaders, who are eager to start and incubate their businesses within this environment which allows them to benefit from its many services and facilities.”

Among the first organizations that moved its  operations to the Business Village are Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development, and the German Emarati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce The Village also hosts a wide range of the general trading companies including Aswaaq LLC, Seureca Overseas, Green Inovacation LLC, Wall Green Trading, Scrapa Shoes Trading, Caliber ME, Raj Associate, Marzouq Cosmetics, Orasia General Trading, GTF General Trading, M2 Trading, and Bin Ghalita Trading.

The Business Village is also house to a number of real estate and contracting companies including Speed Performance Building Contractors, Majesty Agriculture Investment and Union Square Real Estate. Services companies such as Appollo Flight Center and Blue Water Tourism, Images Digital, ,  Renaissance Translation & Business Services, New Generation Business Services, Abdul Rahman Naseer Advocates, and Moora Foods (Subway) are also housed in the Business Village.

In addition to the companies which have already moved to the Business Village, a number of public and federal bodies are moving to their premises soon, including the Dubai Department of Economic Development, UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment, Dubai Export Development Corporation, and Business Incubation Center.

The Business Village offers a comprehensive platform for trade, business and social activities. It extends on an area of 1 million square feet strategically located in Deira and includes commercial office space, business center and conferences & meetings rooms. It is particularly focused on encouraging entrepreneurship in the SME sector. The project includes a mixed use (not sector specific) business incubator, surrounded by commercial and business organizations that are directly engaged in supporting and providing services to foster entrepreneurship and SMEs. Through its vibrant supportive ecosystem, the Business Village contributes to transforming Dubai into the Entrepreneurship Center of the Region.

Abdul Baset - CEO MBRE

Dubai; January 31st, 2010: Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development, one of the Department of Economic Development establishments, today announced that it has opened the registration for the 6th Edition of Young Entrepreneur Competition 2010 (YEC) online at www.yec.ae, from February 1 to 28, 2010.

YEC aims at strengthening entrepreneurial skills and aptitude in students of high schools, colleges and universities from across the UAE. The competition is focused on providing insight into the comprehensive business environment of Dubai to drive them to start their own businesses and constantly innovate within a competitive environment.

His Excellency Abdul Baset al Janahi, CEO of MBRE for SME Development said: “The YEC initiative reflects our commitment to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to support the development of the small and medium businesses sector, which now accounts for 98.5% of the registered businesses in Dubai.”

“By addressing one of the most crucial segments of the society – the youth, who are our future business leaders - YEC encourages creativity in students and encourages them to participate in supporting the economic growth in Dubai. The event provides a competitive environment, which educates students on the basic principles of starting and operating a private business, and inspires them to become entrepreneurs by creating a simple entrepreneurial environment,” he added.

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development plans to organise a four-day exhibition, by end of March 2010, where students can display their products and ideas, which will be evaluated for their innovation, marketing and profitability standards, marking their first step towards becoming a part of the small and medium business sector.