Major UAE companies award AED100m contracts to support small and medium businesses

Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders, said: "The deals highlight the key role played in supporting small and medium businesses by major government organisations and private sector companies in the UAE, and underline the ability of Establishment members to deliver major companies with products and services matching the highest international quality standards.

"Such initiatives are a testimony to the premium quality of products and services provided by the UAE companies, especially the Establishment members."

The GPP was established in 2002 under a directive from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. The programme aims to create alliances between government and private corporations and allocate at least five per cent of the annual procurement contracts to small and medium businesses to help them contribute to economic growth.

The GPP programme seeks to provide all facilities to members to encourage and develop their business, facilitate their participation to win contracts from government organisations and private companies while providing opportunities to increase their level of competitiveness.

"The Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 has focused largely on the role of small and medium business. There is no doubt that the combined efforts of major companies at this stage will aid this key sector, which is vital to the economic development of Dubai," said Al Janahi.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders is one of the leading national establishments to promote leadership culture among the UAE nationals. The Establishment supports small and medium businesses through initiatives such as business consultancy, training programmes and participation in international exhibitions.