#SMEs

Saudi's Aramco allocates $4bn to expands global VC programme Image: Getty Images

Energy giant Aramco allocates $4bn to expand global VC programme

Aramco’s venture capital programme supports the development of disruptive new technologies and creates diversification opportunities for Aramco while paving the way for collaborations with innovative startups

ADIB launches b2b digital marketplace for smes Image Supplied

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank launches b2b marketplace for SMEs

The all-in-one digital platform aims to significantly reduce the cost of doing business for SMES by providing them with a wide range of exclusive offers and discounts

Khalifa fund TAMM

Khalifa Fund transitions services to TAMM platform, increases accessibility to SMEs

With the transition to TAMM, Khalifa Fund is poised to provide more efficient and accessible services to entrepreneurs in the emirate

jobs in UAE, Saudi Arabia

Family-owned businesses ‘make up 90%’ of UAE’s private sector

The vast majority of businesses in the UAE are, interestingly, family-owned businesses, according to a key organisation representing this sector

ADDED launches SME finance facilitator programme

ADDED launches SME finance facilitator programme

The programme aims to foster trust between SMEs and financial institutions, and lead to collaborative credit assessment

Virtuzone allots over Dhs50m to get businesses tax-ready

Virtuzone allocates over Dhs50m to get businesses tax-ready

The company will provide SMEs with free corporate tax registration, free accounting services, and compliance guarantee

Hub71 enahnces incentive programme to drive startup growth in Abu Dhabi Image Supplied

Hub71 revamps incentive programme, strengthens support for startups in Abu Dhabi

Startups can receive Dhs250,000 worth of in-kind incentives and an initial Dhs250,000 cash incentive for equity, with certain startups eligible to receive a top-up of up to Dhs250,000

EDB advances food security with Dhs721m in funding

EDB supports food security with Dhs721m under its five-year strategy

Food security is one of the five priority sectors that the development bank supports to contribute to the country’s national development agenda

Support for SMEs - Adnan Amin, CEO, COP28 and Ahmed Khalifa Al Qubaisi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Chamber

COP28 unveils programme to help MENA SMEs action net-zero strategies

COP28 and SME Climate Hub for MENA will provide free access to tools and resources to implement emission reduction strategies

MAF fosters entrepreneurship with Launchpad X

Here’s how MAF is connecting MENA startups with global markets

The Launchpad X concept store is home to a diverse range of local brands that have displayed outstanding innovation and growth potential

DCAI Accelerator Programmes attract 615 global startups Image Dubai Media Office

Dubai Centre for AI: Accelerator Programmes attract hundreds of global startups

Successful applicants will be invited to Dubai to work closely with government agencies to develop their projects and prepare for their implementation

8 great books to inspire ceos of a startup Getty Images

Startup reading list: 8 inspiring books for entrepreneurs

Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business leader, these reads will equip you with the tools and wisdom to navigate the exciting world of startups

EDB launches supply chain financing for SMEs

EDB, Trade Capital partner to launch supply chain financing for SMEs

The MoU will see the creation of a working group to discuss new ways of delivering supply chain financing to small and medium enterprises in the UAE

Dubai Chamber attracts 69 startups in H1 2023

Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy attracts 69 startups in H1 2023

The chamber held meetings with multinationals, SMEs, startups and scale-ups during the first half of the year to showcase Dubai’s growth potential

Dubai Chamber attracts 50 SMEs to Dubai in H1 2023

Dubai Chamber welcomes 50 SMEs to Dubai in H1 2023

The chamber opened six new international representative offices during the first half of the year, bringing the total number to 21

Dubai Chamber expands global reach with Vietnam office

Dubai Chamber expands global footprint with Vietnam office

The office will support and guide Dubai-based companies seeking to expand into Vietnam throughout every stage of their international expansion

ADCB is rebranding its wholesale banking

Here’s why ADCB is rebranding its wholesale banking

The rebranded division brings in-depth knowledge and expertise across a range of markets across the Middle East

Dubai SME members awarded Dhs1.12bn in contracts in 2022 Image credit GettyImages-1214946297-e1682524082437

Dubai SME members receive Dhs1.12bn in contracts in 2022

The contribution of Dubai government bodies was worth Dhs552.51m, while federal government entities granted contracts worth Dhs88.2m

Boards must know that ESG isn’t just a buzzword

Boards must know that ESG isn’t just a buzzword. Here’s why

Many GCC enterprise boards have been serious about driving ESG initiatives and the pioneers include Aramco, Emirates NBD, Masdar and Majid Al Futtaim Group

UAE, Kazakhstan trade credit agencies sign an MoU

UAE, Kazakhstan export credit agencies sign agreement to boost trade

The two entities agreed to form a task force to explore more opportunities for cooperation, with a focus on seven strategic areas

LBS' Jane Khedair on why the MENA region is prime ground for VCs and startups

Insights: Why the MENA region offers exciting opportunities for VCs, startups

The abundance of family money, rising government and financial support for startups complemented by the focus on economic diversification has put the region into the spotlight

Saudi Arabia disburses $8bn

Saudi Arabia’s National Development Fund disburses over $8bn in financing

The Saudi Industrial Development Fund supported over 100 beneficiaries through the industrial fund’s academic and advisory programmes

FAB allots $1.3bn in financing

UAE’s FAB to provide $1.36bn in financing solutions to investors

The bank will offer competitive financing solutions to support the adoption of advanced technology in the industrial sector

TaxGPT Worlds-First-AI-Powered-Corporate-Tax-Assistant image: Virtuzone

Introducing TaxGPT, the AI-powered UAE corporate tax assistant

Virtuzone has launched TaxGPT to help UAE-based businesses get answers related to the upcoming corporate tax regime based on information from the UAE’s MOF and FTA

Corporate tax prep for SMEs Lorenzo Jooris Image credit Creative Zone

Is your SME ready for the corporate tax regime?

Here’s how to ensure your SME is set to deal with the advent of UAE’s corporate tax from June

ADIB Meydan Free Zone Signing ceremony

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Meydan Free Zone collaborate to support SMEs

The partnership will enable both organisations to pool their resources and capabilities to offer SMEs a more comprehensive suite of solutions and service

EDB CEO, Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi

UAE’s EDB, Ministry of Economy recognise partner banks

The bank’s credit guarantee scheme aims to help SMEs overcome challenges in accessing financing from conventional banks

Abu Dhabi's Khalifa Fund, AlMaryah Bank to provide digital banking services

Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Fund, AlMaryah Bank to provide digital banking services to SMEs

The bank will provide exclusive benefits to Khalifa Fund members in accordance with the agreement

Middle East venture capital market

The Middle East’s booming venture capital market

The drive for economic diversification and state-backed initiatives together with financial support for startups is fuelling Middle East’s venture capital industry

Added Wio bank photo courtesy WAM

Wio Bank, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development partner to supports SMEs

This partnership will help fast-track the account opening process for SMEs and deliver seamless banking services through the Wio Business app