In the presence of H.H.Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed

Dubai, 12 March 2014: A three-day exhibition of small and medium enterprises from Oman will begin at the Dubai Mall on Thursday, 13th of March in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The exhibition is organised by Dubai SME, the agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) mandated to develop the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, in partnership with the Oman Commercial Office in Dubai.

The exhibition is being organised in line under the directives of the His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said of Oman to strengthen the role of SMEs in the economic development of Oman, and in accordance with the strategy of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to strengthen Dubai's position as an attractive SME growth environment.

Nearly 25 Omani SMEs will display their goods including fragrances, handmade products, gifts and fashion products in the first-of-its-kind event, which will run till 15th of March.

Abdul Baset Al Janahi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai SME, commented: "Dubai SME is conducting this joint initiative with the Oman Commercial Office in line with the teachings of our rulers to strengthen Gulf co-operation in the social and economic spheres. The exhibition will be a good start for Omani companies looking to grow and expand in the UAE and across the GCC to display their capabilities and connect with customers."

Supported by Ithraa, Oman's Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development, the exhibition aims to provide a venue that guarantees extended exposure and visibility for the participating SMEs. One of Ithraa's core objectives is to help Omani craft businesses break into new markets both at home and abroad, securing valuable orders and creating new jobs locally in that process.

Emaad Al Shukeili, Director of Export Facilitation at Ithraa, added: "Consumers worldwide are beginning to realise the importance of provenance and search for authentic and exclusive products.  Oman's long history and reputation for craft and design is beginning to be recognised, thus offering local enterprises exciting commercial possibilities. The Dubai Mall exhibition will certainly be an opportunity for UAE consumers to discover Omani craftsmanship.

The exhibition will also help participating SMEs to learn from their Emirati counterparts and exchange their personal experiences of running an SME business.

-Ends-

Dubai SME:
Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED), Government of Dubai, aims to foster an entrepreneurial culture and develop a competitive SME sector for the Emirate of Dubai. The key strategies adopted by Dubai SME are: advocate a pro-business environment for developing entrepreneurship and SMEs, seed innovative start-ups and groom promising SMEs.  Dubai SME's vision is to make Dubai the centre for innovative SMEs to start, grow and expand their businesses thus adding greater value to the economy of Dubai. 

For further information, please contact:
Faisal Shamsudheen                
Marketing & Communications Division    
Department of Economic Development           
Tel: (971 4) 361 3070                      
Email: faisal.pathiasseri@dubaided.gov.ae  

© Press Release 2014