Page 531 - MOE ENGLISH PR - APRIL 2024

National Forum For SMEs Aims To Enhance

Government Procurement Opportunities In The UAE

By OneArabia

The Ministry of Economy (MoEc) recently hosted the "National Forum for SMEs - Government
Procurement," a pivotal event designed to bolster Emirati entrepreneurs by offering them a platform
to benefit from tenders and contracts provided by federal entities and local companies. This
initiative underscores the government's dedication to nurturing the SME sector, a critical
component of the UAE's economic framework. Over 80 federal entities, local firms, and Emirati
SME owners participated in the forum, which aimed at enhancing awareness about the role of
government procurement in stimulating national economic growth.

Catch Up on IPL 2024 at OneArabia

Scorecard|Points Table|News
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy, underscored the significance of SMEs in the
country's economic landscape. He pointed out that SMEs constitute 95% of all businesses in the
UAE and are responsible for employing approximately 86% of the private sector's workforce. The
Minister also shed light on various initiatives launched by the Ministry to support Emirati
entrepreneurs across different sectors. Among these initiatives, the "National Program for SMEs"
stands out by offering services and incentives to projects led by Emirati entrepreneurs through
collaborations with both governmental and private sectors. This program has already aided over
5,000 members.

During his inspection tour at the forum, Bin Touq reviewed tenders and contracts and engaged in
discussions with event partners. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of
Economy, emphasized the critical role of procurements in propelling national economic growth and
enabling SME participation in government tenders. He highlighted the "Government Procurements
for Local SMEs" performance indicator, which assesses federal entities' commitment to dedicating
a specific percentage of contracts and tenders to SMEs.

The forum presented contracts and tenders exceeding AED 2.3 billion from more than 30 federal
entities and national companies, targeting small and medium enterprises. It featured sessions on
policies, legislation, success stories, implementation practices, enhancing opportunities,
government initiatives, support from local government entities, and guidelines on becoming a
professional supplier to government agencies.

Ultimately, the "National Forum for SMEs - Government Procurement" aimed to empower Emirati
entrepreneurs by enhancing their competitiveness and providing them with ample opportunities to
leverage government procurement contracts effectively. This initiative reflects the government's
steadfast commitment to supporting SMEs and promoting a knowledge-based economy.

https://www.onearabia.me/local/uae-national-forum-sme-government-procurement-011-
25385.html