International Small and Medium Enterprises conference generates interest across the region

The conference is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Public Works at JW Marriot Hotel from January 31 - February 2nd2005.

"We have been overwhelmed by the tremendous response to the event," said Khalid Al Kassim, Deputy Director General, DED. "The conference, which is being held for the first time in the region, seeks to focus on the significance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and their increasing contribution to the economy," he added.

The event is being organized by Seagull Exhibitions and Conferences Organising under the umbrella of the Department of Economic Development (DED). It is also adequately supported by international and regional SME organisations like World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME), International Networking for Small and Medium Enterprises (INSME) and the Council for Arab Business Women (CABW). It is also being sponsored by the Al Tomooh programme at the Emirates Bank.

"This conference and exhibition comes in line with our policies and strategies that have been adopted by the Council for Arab Business Women as we both are aiming to support the economic growth in the Arab World with special reference to the women projects," said H. H. Sheikha Hissah Saad Al Abdulla Al Salem Al Sabah President of the Council of Arab Business Women. "We hope this event will bring greater focus on the economic issues and will be the ideal platform for experts and the new generation of entrepreneurs to meet and learn from previous experiences in this field," she added.

"In the globalization era it is crucial for SMEs to be integrated in the international market and to be competitive and it is generally recognized that regardless of size, companies need to become innovative in order to stay competitive," said Mrs. Simona Marzetti, Secretary General INSME, Italy. "INSME aims to contribute to the promotion of innovation processes in SMEs by increasing transnational cooperation and public-private partnership for technology transfer with a view to matching the demand for and the offer of knowledge. I would like to felicitate the local authorities in Dubai for the organization of a special international event dedicated to small and medium sized enterprises in the Middle East region as is important to increase awareness about the key role that micro, small and medium firms play in our society," she added.

According to Dr. Arun Agrawal, Secretary General of the World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME), "The scheduled SME International Conference and Exhibition in Dubai is very opportune and would provide new directions in the establishment of a growth-enabling environment for SMEs in UAE. Besides, it would help nurture the entrepreneurial spirit in Dubai, catalyse the growth of SMEs and create new job opportunities for young graduates. WASME is pleased to join hands with its member company in Dubai, Seagull Group, in a maiden attempt to bring its rich and varied experience in developing and supporting SMEs to UAE."

The exhibition that will go alongside the conference will provide an opportunity for owners of small businesses to connect with the potential markets.