Dubai, July 1st, 2007 (WAM)---Dubai major companies Emiratesairline and major property developer Nakheel have awarded contractsworth AED100 million to members of the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishmentthrough the Government Procurement Programme (GPP) to give asignificant boost to Dubai?s Small and Medium Enterprise businesssector.

"The deals highlight the key role played in supporting smalland medium businesses by major government organisations and privatesector companies in the UAE, and underline the ability of Establishmentmembers to deliver major companies with products and servicesmatching the highest international quality standards", said Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishmentfor Young Business Leaders.

"Such initiatives are a testimony to the premium quality of productsand services provided by the UAE companies, especially the Establishmentmembers", he added.

The GPP was established in 2002 under a directive from His HighnessSheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and PrimeMinister of the UA E, and Ruler of Dubai. The programme aimsto create alliances between government and private corporationsand allocate at least five per cent of the annual procurementcontracts to small and medium businesses to help them contributeto economic growth.

The GPP programme seeks to provide all facilities to membersto encourage and develop their business, facilitate their participationto win contracts from government organisations and private companieswhile providing opportunities to increase their level of competitiveness.

"The Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 has focused largely on the roleof small and medium business. There is no doubt that the combinedefforts of major companies at this stage will aid this key sector,which is vital to the economic development of Dubai," said AlJanahi.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leadersis one of the leading national establishments to promote leadershipculture among the UAE nationals. The Establishment supports smalland medium businesses through initiatives such as business consultancy,training programmes and participation in international exhibitions.