Dubai SME, the agency of Dubai Economy mandated to develop the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, is further strengthening its communication and interaction with startups and the entrepreneurial community in the emirate in view of the challenges faced by businesses following COVID-19 and the opportunities ahead for innovative enterprise. Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of Dubai SME, continued his monthly field visits to meet entrepreneurs personally, evaluate their needs and pledge his support to ensuring business continuity and growth.

“The exemplary manner in which the UAE and Dubai responded to the pandemic crisis has been encouraging for businesses and particularly entrepreneurs pursuing innovations in varied sectors. At Dubai SME, our focus is on turning this crisis into an opportunity for our members and reassuring them of all support. We have tailored our development support and resources, including in the areas of knowledge, advisory and financing, to enable SMEs step up to the challenge and move confidently towards sustainable growth,” said Al Janahi.

The visits, which were launched following the reopening of the various economic sectors in Dubai after the outbreak of COVID-19, are aimed to instil confidence among the entrepreneurs and enhance awareness on the stimulus packages announced by the government to help businesses go past the present challenges. The beneficiaries of the start-up development programmes of Dubai SME, including education & training, idea incubation and capital guarantees, were among the enterprises visited by Al Janahi.

Dubai SME also has extended a comprehensive COVID-19 support package that includes payment holidays on existing financing, capital guarantees on new financing, rent deferrals and remote advisory, and education and training for entrepreneurs and start-ups.

The start-ups Al Janahi visited in the latest round of his interaction included Tarkeeb, a beneficiary of the innovative Beehive crowdfunding platform of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Fund (The Fund), which is the financial arm of Dubai SME, in addition to Almas Robotics, Bin Thani Motors, Dubai Mirzam Chocolate Factory, Store & Café; Barjeel Aerial Photograph, and 3Fils Restaurant.

Ahmed Abdulhakim, founder of 3Fils Restaurant and a graduate of the Dubai Entrepreneurship Academy – the educational arm of Dubai SME – termed Al Janahi’s visit as “motivating and supportive.” He added: “The Dubai SME CEO took us through the government strategy and support favouring SME development as well as the important economic role of SMEs in Dubai and the UAE in general. Such visits are a very important experience for us as it inspires us to look towards the future and more success with confidence.”

Khalid Bin Dasmal of Barjeel Arial Photography Services and a graduate of the Hamdan Innovation Incubator (HI2) in Dubai SME, also expressed his pleasure in Al Janahi’s visit in the midst of the pandemic crisis and said: “We are thankful to the tremendous support Dubai SME has continued to give us since our Day 1. Without their support we would not have been able to come this far and bring about the vast changes that has happened within our organisation.”

Khalid Huraimel of Tarkeeb, a telecom, surveillance, and smart network design, installation & maintenance company also hailed Al Janahi’s visit. “I was honoured to welcome HE Abdul Baset Al Janahi at our offices in Dubai Silicon Oasis. During the visit the focus was on Tarkeeb demonstrating our strengths and plans for future development. I thank Dubai SME for their crucial support for our journey so far and we are confident that they can help us prosper further in the future,” said Huraimel.

For more information on the COVID-19 support package of Dubai SME, please contact: info@sme.ae