Visa supports small business in the UAE

Visa business cardholders can now access more than 130 discount offers, including country specific, regional and global offers aimed at assisting local businesses achieve their goals.

Discounts are currently available on products and services in 10 various categories across the UAE including: car rental services; courier services; lodging; management training; online services; professional services; software; travel services; publications and telecommunications.

Local and global merchants participating in the Visa Commercial Offers are Emirates Computers; FedEx Kinko's; Hilton, Marhaba Service; MMI Travel LLC, NADIA; Overseas Courier Service (OCS); Thrifty Car Rental; UAE Exchange Centre LLC, Valtrans; Xerox Emirates LLC; Zawya; ACCOR; ACT Teleconferencing Services Inc; AIG; AVIS; Biznet Services Ltd; CallingCards.com; chinaONEcall; Corefino Inc.; Dolce International; Entrepreneur Magazine; Financial Times; Genos; ifstudio-translations.com; International Travel Partnership (ITP); Priority Pass and SAP.

"Visa is committed to supporting business in the UAE and recognises that every market is different. Visa has invested significant time developing innovative discounts for our business cardholders in the Middle East. Small business owners in the UAE are focused on efficiently managing their bottom line and achieving their business goals. Providing them with online access to discounts that are relevant to their business is just one more way in which Visa helps small business owners succeed,"

said Aninda Roy, Commercial Solutions Manager, Visa Inc.

A recent study of more than 700 small business owners worldwide demonstrates the value and significance of online resources in helping to manage business finances. More than 75% of small business owners surveyed reported that they have sought discounts for office supplies, business travel or other business-related needs. In addition, nearly 80 percent indicated they would find value in having a single online source from which they could access offers targeted to small businesses such as theirs.

Commissioned by Visa and conducted between September 17 and October 9, 2007. The online survey was completed by 709 respondents from across the globe. Small business owners in this survey were defined as owners of companies with revenues less than $25m and fewer than 100 employees.

Enhanced web access capabilities allow UAE users to search for offers by user-specified language and location as well as by multimedia descriptions of select product and service offers.

To ensure easy access to the Visa small business discount programme, offers are presented in both English and Arabic and are available at