DuBAI SME: CHEERIng AnD RECOgnISIng THE SECTOR Dubai SME has strengthened the sector and given the industry the platform to network and perform better
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mall and Medium Enterprises are the backbones of economies worldwide. In Dubai, the sector makes a definitive contribution to the economy and employment. Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO, Dubai SME, the agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai, mandated to develop the SME sector, talks about the role of the organisation, potential of the sector and more, in an exclusive interview. Excerpts: Tell us about the inspiration behind Dubai SMe100. In 2009, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued a law expanding the mandate of Dubai SME to cover the whole of SME sector. Earlier, Dubai SME used to focus on supporting local Emirati entrepreneurs only. With its expanded mandate, Dubai SME started looking at new initiatives that can serve the SME sector on a whole and Dubai SME100 is one among such initiatives. Launched under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of
Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO, Dubai SME
EDITORIAL
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