Mohammed Bin Rashid Est highlights government support for SMEs

The session aimed at clarifying the relation between the government sector and Program's members and the role of government departments in developing the SME sector.

Mrs Ibtihal Naji, Manager - Government Procurement Programme; Mr Osama Al Muharam, Assistant Manager, Mr Yousef Lootah, Senior Executive, and Mr. Essam Disi, Manager - Policy Formulation attended the session in addition to a number of directors and team members from the purchasing and contracting governmental departments.

Mrs Ibtihal Naji, said:

"This initiative comes in line with the directions of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, focusing on supporting nationals and to enhance their role in the development process through SMEs. This session is the result of several meetings arranged by the institution with government departments. We are looking forward to launch new initiatives aimed at enriching debate about legislations and laws on the relations between government departments and national SMEs."

The session highlighted the success stories of the national SMEs and also showcased examples and case studies about the relationship between the government and SMEs.

Mr Yousef Lootah said, "Representatives from contracting and purchasing government departments discussed issues on their relations with Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders. The purchasing law to offer 5% from the government purchases for the welfare of the Establishment's members formed a major part of the discussions. The session also presented a clear picture on the support provided by government departments to small and medium businesses."

Mr. Osama Al Muharam also discussed the purchasing plans of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders for the current year. This will further strengthen the relations with the government sector and enhance productivity and performance of the Establishment members.

The growth in the value of procurements from the Government Procurement Program (GPP) in Dubai over the last six years reached more Dhs728m till the end of 2008. The value of procurements made by governmental and semi-governmental sectors from members of the GPP for the year 2008 reached to Dhs240m, while it reached around Dhs27m from the private sector.