To SME members with new Business Opportunities

Dubai, Sunday, 24 November, 2008: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders organized today an event  under the name "The Government Networking with SME Members" to discuss the procedures of bid registration at the procurement departments at Emirates National Oil Company Limited (ENOC) & Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC), at the Raffles Duabi.

Present at this event were, Mr. Humaid Bin Dimas the Acting General Manager - Ministry of Labor, Mr. Abdul Baset AL Janahi - CEO of SME as well as officials and representatives from other governmental departments.

The Forum included a detailed presentation of the procurement system of ENOC and DWTC in addition to a comprehensive report on the electronic services provided by "Tijari" and a presentation of the opportunities and benefits provided by Entrepreneur Business Village "EBV".

Mr. Humaid Bin Dimas the Acting General Manager- Ministry of Labor said in this occasion: "In line with H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum , Vice president, Prime Minster and Ruler of Dubai's instructions , the Ministry of Labor sought to address the imbalances existing in the labor market by supporting young entrepreneurs of small and medium enterprises as they represent the achieving of economic and communal development objectives, through diversification of income sources and creating new job opportunities."

Mr. Humaid Bin Dimas ensured that: "The strategic plan of the Federal Government explicitly expressed its support to sectors of national priority, particularly small and medium enterprises, adding that the Ministry of Labor always looks forward to support youth, conscious of their role and message, that want to be partners in building the nation"

Bin Dimas noted that "The Ministry of Labor seeks to have a greater role in supporting small and medium enterprises. It has signed many agreements with youth-project support institutions, such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders in Dubai, Rowad in Sharjah, and the Khalifa fund for small and medium projects' support in Abu Dhabi, and last but not least the Saud bin Saqr program for youth projects' support in Ras Al Khaimah." He pointed out that all these agreements stipulate the exemption or reduction of transfer fees and upgrading the enterprise to category (A).

Humaid bin Dimas, said that: "The Ministry is in the process of establishing an integrated service center to support small and medium-sized enterprises. The Ministry is also studying the possibility of facilitate the procedures and grant fee exemptions to entrepreneurs. In addition to organizing workshops, the Ministry also works in coordination with the institutions to open up an on-ground integrated service center, to assist entrepreneurs in completing their work in the lease time possible."

He also added: "The ministry of labor launched this initiative to meet the aspirations of the entrepreneurs and to find new co-operation methods between the ministry and the SMEs, All that to contribute to the building of the nation, and enhance the image of the UAE citizen."

Mr. Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders stressed on the importance of this event saying "The importance of this gathering comes as part of the overall vision of the institution, set by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, which involves providing all forms of financial and moral support, that young entrepreneurs need."

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment CEO stressed that this will provide entrepreneurs with many opportunities, through enabling them to partner with companies and governmental agencies such as Emirates National Oil Company, "ENOC" and Dubai World Trade Center "DWTC". He also praised the efforts of young entrepreneurs that attend this event, as well as other meetings organized specifically for them. Their attendance shows great awareness of the importance of these events and will result in great benefit for them and their projects.

The forum also witnessed numerous debates between SME members and HE Humaid Bin Dimas, Acting General Manager- Ministry of Labor and representatives of companies and governmental departments participating in this event.

Mr. Abdula Saeed Khoori, CEO of Emirates Nation al Oil Company "ENOC" said: "We are committed to continue our support to the national young entrepreneurs as they have a very important role in building the society and its development process.

We are delighted to participate in this networking forum which represents a platform to meet the establishments and government departments that support the SMEs and a good opportunity to meet the young entrepreneurs in order to communicate with them and discuss partnerships opportunities".

-Ends-

For further information please contact:
Sara Riad
O2 Public Relations
e-mail: sara.r@o2pr.net
mobile: 00971 50 2458873

© Press Release 2008