The Dubai International Growth Initiative for SMEs is expected to ignite a flurry of expansions and new product launches by existing SMEs and marketplaces by taking advantage of the interest-free loans
SME financing
Latest in SME financing
Saudi Arabia
Saudi SMEs: 166% business boost amid $4.8bn funding drive
Saudi Arabia is supporting SMEs with funding, venture capital, training and legislation
SME
UAE banks team up to help SMEs amid $8.17bn finance support pledge
UAE financial institutions team up to offer SME funding
AgTech startups
Revealed: 30 Rising Startups from the Middle East 2022
The Middle East startup sector is heating up, with small businesses innovating rapidly today to solve the problems of tomorrow. In celebration of the innovators and entrepreneurs driving the future, Arabian Business is introducing its 30 Rising Startups of 2022
angel investments
How to raise capital in the UAE
Remember, don’t just have figures in a vacuum – show your reasoning, because investors are going to press you on your research
Abu Dhabi
How startups and SMEs remain ‘key players’ in the UAE’s 50-year transition to a ‘new economy’
SMEs represent 94 percent of the companies and institutions operating in the UAE and contribute more than 50 percent to the country’s GDP
Abdul Baset Al Janahi
What are the key factors helping Dubai’s small businesses recover from the impact of Covid?
Digital payments, a surge in e-commerce, and social networks are helping small businesses stay resilient according to a joint study conducted by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and the Visa Economic Empowerment Institute
Abdul Baset Al Janahi
Dubai Next crowdfunding platform eyes expansion after enabling eight startups to raise required funds
People of all nationalities aged 12 and above with an innovative idea or project can create a campaign on the Dubai Next crowdfunding platform and seek funds from contributors
business banking
RAKBANK enables SMEs to apply for business loans, financing options on UAE’s first digital onboarding platform
SME customers can apply for business accounts and business finance products through the RAKBANK Quick Apply portal in just a few minutes, and get instant in-principal approval followed by the funds disbursal in just a few days
Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi
Emirates Development Bank adds $520 million UAE’s GDP growth, finances 1,350 SMEs across priority sectors
The Emirates Development Bank’s launch of a new credit guarantee platform was able to mobilise more than $90.38 million (AED332 million) of capital to SMEs
Abdul Basit Al Janahi
Emirati entrepreneurs, Dubai SME members claim government contracts worth $250.9 million in 2021
Since 2002, GPP has secured more than 16,934 procurement contracts for 362 Emirati entrepreneurs and SMEs in varied sectors
dubai banks
Dubai’s Mashreq launches new program to help SMEs access working capital
New initiative leverages the credit worthiness of larger buyers to provide a more cost-effective early payment to their smaller suppliers
GlobalData
Early stage funding rounds attracted the most VC cash in 2021
In a positive indicator for new startups, a total of 6,448 seed and 5,769 series A financing rounds were announced throughout the year, new data revealed
Dubai Islamic Bank
EDB, DIB ink credit scheme deal targeting SMEs in priority sectors
EDB to provide the credit guarantee programme to DIB’s SME customers, while DIB will offer up to AED10m financing, with half of the facility amount guaranteed by EDB
Crowdfunding Platforms
How Dubai’s crowdfunding initiative is filling ‘massive’ gap in SME financing
Dubai Next, the first digital crowdfunding platform in Dubai, was launched earlier this year by Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan
Beehive
Emirates Development Bank and Beehive sign $8.2m financing deal for SMEs
Strategy agreed aims to help SMEs across the UAE access finance and grow their business
Dubai International Financial Centre
SH Capital wins Dubai licence to boost SME access to investment
Company aims to empower small businesses by providing access to global asset investment products