Page 42 - MOE ENGLISH PR - APRIL 2024

Press Release

The forum showcased contracts and tenders from over 30 federal entities and national companies,
totaling more than AED 2.3 billion in value, available for small and medium enterprises. These
entities utilized digital platforms to present the terms of the tenders and contracts directly to Emirati
entrepreneurs and forum attendees, offering them guidance and support. Additionally, various
initiatives supporting Emirati SME-owners were introduced during the event. The forum also
featured seven diverse dialogue sessions with a total of 26 speakers participating in discussions.

The first session titled ‘Policies, legislation and initiatives to support SMEs’ showcased a number
of objectives outlined in Federal Law no. 2 of 2014 concerning SMEs. It emphasized their role in
driving the growth of Emirati SMEs, while also exploring the means to further cooperation and
forge partnerships between relevant government entities. The session was attended by H.E.
Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy; and H.E. Younis Haji Al
Khoori, Undersecretary of Ministry of Finance.

The second session, titled ‘Inspiring stories in the world of government tenders’ highlighted a
collection of success stories from owners of national SMEs. Attendees had the opportunity to hear
about the challenges and obstacles that these entrepreneurs encountered while securing bids and
tenders from government entities, along with the strategies they employed to overcome them. The
session highlighted the tools these entrepreneurs relied on to enhance their prospects of obtaining
these tenders.

The third session, titled ‘From legislation to implementation: Policies and practices of supporting
SMEs,’ explored the Ministry of Economy's role in supporting Emirati entrepreneurs. It showcased
the action plan developed to achieve the objectives of the Government Procurements for Local
SMEs performance indicator. Additionally, the session highlighted the Ministry of Finance's role
in providing special benefits and financial exemptions to national SMEs.

The next session titled ‘Enhancing opportunities and possibilities in government procurement’
presented a range of tender and contract opportunities related to government procurement offered
by federal entities and national companies. Emirati entrepreneurs had the chance to familiarize
themselves with these opportunities, thereby improving their readiness to pursue and potentially
secure these contracts. The session raised awareness among entrepreneurs about the competitive
nature of the procurement process and provided insights into the application process for
government tenders. Additionally, attendees received valuable information about the federal
supplier register system and important tips about the registration process and completing tender
documentation effectively.

The fifth session titled ‘Government initiatives to support national SMEs’ examined a range of
initiatives provided by federal entities to support projects led by Emirati entrepreneurs. These
include the National Program for SMEs and projects, the Digital Procurement Platform, as well as
the ‘Hawafez’ Program and the In-Country Value (ICV) program.

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