Dubai’s DET, Amazon launch accelerator for SMEs

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The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has announced a strategic partnership with Amazon UAE to launch the ‘DET x Amazon Accelerator’, aimed at empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Dubai.

The initiative seeks to enhance the competitiveness of local businesses on the international stage by providing them with advanced digital tools, resources and mentorship.

The accelerator is part of the broader Dubai Traders initiative, one of 10 key initiatives under the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.

This programme is designed to position Dubai as a premier hub for entrepreneurship and SME growth by leveraging collaborations with leading private sector companies.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Helal Saeed Almarri, director-general of DET, and Ronaldo Mouchawar, vice president of Amazon Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye.

The signing involved Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), and Jasmin Frick, director of Seller Success at Amazon MENA.

How the DET x Amazon accelerator will help SMEs

The accelerator will focus on the following key pillars to support SMEs in scaling their online presence and expanding their global reach. It will…

• Help SMEs gain access to Amazon’s extensive network, allowing them to expand their operations beyond the UAE.
• Provide tailored workshops by Amazon UAE to help SMEs effectively use the company’s tools and strategies to succeed on Amazon.
• Offer personalised guidance from Amazon’s trusted service providers to maximize growth opportunities, including account registration and Amazon Advertising.
• Feature a dedicated “Shop Local” storefront on Amazon UAE, increasing visibility for local sellers during key sales events.
• Offer Amazon Ads credits to SMEs for launching marketing campaigns aimed at reaching wider audiences.

The accelerator aligns with D33

Badri emphasised that this collaboration marks a significant step toward fulfilling the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. “By offering a tailored suite of tools and support, we aim to accelerate the growth of Dubai-based businesses and extend their reach globally,” he said.

Mouchawar highlighted the importance of supporting small businesses, stating, “This capacity-building programme aims to expedite the growth and digital transformation for hundreds of Dubai SMEs, reinforcing our commitment to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.”

With ambitions to feature products from 100,000 businesses on Amazon by 2026, the accelerator is poised to drive significant growth in Dubai’s SME sector.