Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Size Enterprises launches fifth edition of SME Award

The event, which is organized in collaboration with Mashreq Bank, comes in line with the establishment's strategy of strengthening young business leaders and enabling them to lead international projects.

The SME Award is also part of a concerted strategy to support small and medium businesses in Dubai and provide entrepreneurs with adequate encouragement to grow and develop their businesses.

Sixteen awards are distributed this year including Best Start-Up Business of the Year 2008 (Male/Female), for applicants from outside the UAE, Best Arab Start-Up Business of the Year 2009 (Locally/Regionally), and Best Business Project Award in the following sectors: Information Technology, Manufacturing, Marketing and Promotion, Electronics, Education, Tourism, Consulting, Professional Services, Retail, Design, Food and Beverage, Real Estate, Facility Management, Transport & Logistics Services.

His Excellency Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, CEO of Mashreq, said, "As a national institution, Mashreq constantly supports initiatives that are directed at the development of young UAE Nationals. As part of the bank's strategic plan to encourage UAE entrepreneurs to pursue their business ambitions, we have collaborated with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Size Enterprises for the launch of the award, as we firmly believe it creates a competitive atmosphere, and encourages UAE talents to excel. MBRE has always been a pioneer with similar initiatives, which makes it the perfect partner to Mashreq."

Commenting on the Award, His Excellency Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO, Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Size Enterprises, said:

"The SME Award reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to provide an ideal growth environment to attract young business leaders and help them to participate in developing the business sector in the UAE and the Arab world."

He explained that the aspirations of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum are focused on nurturing creative Emaratis, who are considered as the base of the country's economic development and comprehensive growth.

Al Janahi added that the SME Award aims at creating a competitive environment among young business leaders and in honoring them for their exceptional performance although they are newcomers. The award aims to motivate individuals and institutions which play a role in developing the performance of the new business enterprisers, support them further and assist in their business growth.

To compete in the awards, visit the SME award website, www.smeawards.ae, and fill the application form latest by October 29, 2009.

A committee of business and economic leaders in Dubai will choose the winners in three phases. The first evaluation phase will be based on the written project description submitted. The second phase is a site visit by the arbitration committee and the final phase includes interviews with project owners.