Can Dubai’s SMEs Double Their Reach by 2033?

In a significant move for Dubai's entrepreneurial scene, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), which is part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, has just signed a strategic partnership with Emarat – Emirates Petroleum Company.

This collaboration is all about giving Emirati-owned SMEs a solid push, ultimately aiming to speed up the growth of Dubai’s entrepreneurial economy. If you’re an SME owner, here’s what you need to know about how this deal could benefit your business.

What’s in the Deal for SMEs?

The core of this partnership focuses on making it easier and cheaper for Dubai SME members to access the market and run their operations.

• Cost Reductions: Members will get discounts on things like registration fees and per-product charges.

• Preferential Rates: You can expect better deals on crucial services such as advertising, payment processing, and delivery logistics.

• Physical Space: Emarat is opening up its network, offering discounted rental for prime spots like kiosks, pop-up corners, and high-visibility display areas across their premises. This is a big win for visibility.

• Sustainable Growth: They’ve also developed a revenue-sharing model together, which is designed to ensure long-term, sustainable growth for businesses taking part.

The Big Picture: Dubai's Economic Goals

This partnership is much more than just discounted services; it’s directly linked to the ambitious Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. That agenda aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033. By strengthening SMEs, which are the backbone of any healthy economy, this agreement helps further solidify Dubai’s status as a global hub for business.

It also supports the spirit of the UAE Year of Community 2025, which emphasises unlocking individual and organisational potential through skill-building and entrepreneurship.

Leaders Weigh In

Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, Acting CEO of Dubai SME, highlighted that the collaboration reinforces the crucial role of public-private partnerships in strengthening the local business ecosystem. He noted that integrating Emirati talent and entrepreneurship is a key priority of the D33 agenda.

Similarly, Ali Zayed Al Falasi, Acting Chief Retail Officer of Emarat, emphasised the practical support this offers. As a home-grown brand, Emarat is translating its purpose into tangible action for founders. "By opening premium display spaces across our network and introducing lower fees, preferential service rates, and a sustainable revenue-sharing model, we’re helping SMEs reach customers faster and reduce the cost of growth," he stated.

Getting the Word Out

A central part of this partnership will be marketing and promotional initiatives. Emarat plans to offer branding and co-marketing opportunities to Dubai SME members. Both organisations will work on joint campaigns to boost visibility, engage consumers, and raise awareness for local, home-grown products.

The Numbers Game

Looking ahead, Dubai SME has set a clear target: they plan to facilitate the launch of 8,000 new Emirati businesses by 2033. This will raise the total number of supported enterprises to 27,000, up from the current 19,000 targeted by the end of 2024.

This collaboration with Emarat appears to be a practical step in achieving that goal, providing real-world opportunities and reducing barriers for the next generation of Emirati entrepreneurs.