Dubai, August 5th, 2008: The Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders (SME) signed an agreement to create a new online portal for SME members, made possible through the partnership of Tejari, the Middle East's premium e-commerce online network, considered to be the hub of online trade for the region and emerging markets across the world. This partnership will enable SME to develop a new online business community for SME members, enabling them to network within their industry, creating abundant business opportunities while giving their businesses international exposure.  

This portal will create an extensive online business community where members can find trade opportunities with other SME members and the 190,000 members of Tejari's network.  Members will be able to create online profiles to showcase their products and services on a global scale. 

Tejari will create this portal based on SME's requirements using the most innovative e-business technologies to help trading communities carry out business matchmaking via the internet. Tejari will additionally offer support services to members to ensure proficient use of the portal and to introduce other e-commerce opportunities.

Mr. Alaa Afifi, Business Development Manager of Tejari said: "We are pleased to have signed this MOU which supports commercial business and promotes e-commerce in the UAE. We want to help budding entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary tools to help their businesses develop through our extensive services and beneficial online platform."     

Mr. Alaa Afifi added that Tejari will design, host and maintain a private portal designed specifically for SME members.  It will provide all the necessary promotional support to demonstrate the benefits of e-commerce and being part of an online business community. 

Commenting on the agreement, Mr. Akil Kazim, Director of Operations of Mohammed Bin Rashid Est. for Young Business Leaders (SME), said: "Mohammed Bin Rashid Est. for young Business Leaders is committed to working closely with Tejari to create a spectrum of trade opportunities for our members.  This portal will enable us to offer our members a greater selection of services, adding a new virtual dimension of e-commerce to enrich business development.  Tejari is already working with many leading businesses in the region, and by giving SME members access to the market-making capabilities of e-business, we hope to help them open the doors to new trading opportunities."

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About Mohammed Bin Rashid Est. for Young Business Leaders
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders was launched in 2002. The vision of the Establishment is to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit among UAE nationals and catalyze the development and growth of the small and medium size enterprises.  The Establishment's core mission is to encourage and facilitate the development of local start up businesses across the UAE. To this end, the Establishment offers a wide range of incentives, enabling services and training programmes. The services of the SME extend to both entrepreneurs with existing businesses as well as budding entrepreneurs.

For more information please contact:
Mohammed Bin Rashid Est, for Young Business Leaders (SME)
Mohammed Bin Haider
Tel: + 971 4 361 3000
E-mail: mohammed.binhaider@sme.ae
 
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Sara Riad
Tel: +971 50 245 8873
E-mail: sara.r@o2pr.net

© Press Release 2008