25-November-2020
Dubai, 25 November 2020: 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 programs 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