Dubai SME, the agency of the Department of Economic Development in Dubai mandated to develop the small and medium enterprises sector, has awarded Dh860 million ($234 million) worth of contracts to Government Procurement Programme (GPP) members in 2018.

The value was Dh1.5 billion in 2017, 44.5 per cent higher than the Dh857.76 million recorded in 2016. For the first time, the value of the contracts exceeded the Dh1-billion mark, it stated.

With more than 1500 members, the GPP offers small and medium enterprises the opportunity to develop their business and grow through supplying the demands of the Dubai government.

With a successful track record since its inception in 2002, the GPP has established itself as one of the leading programmes supporting SMEs in the local market, underlining their role as major contributors to the national economy.

The government has announced a number of measures such as reduction in government fees and allocation of 20 per cent of government tenders to SMEs to revive non-oil private sector economic activity in the economy.

The Roads and Transport Authority, RTA, the Best (Large) Government Entity Supporting the Government Procurement Programme has awarded contracts worth Dh119.2 million in 2018 to Emirati entrepreneurs.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention - the Best Federal Government Entity Supporting the Government Procurement Programme - provided contracts worth Dh21.2 million.

Dubai Holding - the Best Semi-Government Entity Supporting the Government Procurement Programme - offered contracts valued at Dh61.5 million to Emirati entrepreneurs.

Union Coop - the Best Private Entity Supporting the Government Procurement Programme - made contracts in the tune of Dh89.9 million.

According to Dubai SME statistics, the value of contracts allocated to Emirati entrepreneurs and startups through the GPP has reached Dh5 billion since the agency was established in 2002.

SMEs are a priority of the Dubai Plan 2021 given that they represent 95% of the registered companies, accounting for 42% of the workforce, and contribute to 40% to Dubais GDP, said the agency in its statement.

The Dubai Plan 2021 aims to increase the SMEs GDP contribution to 45% by 2021, it added.-TradeArabia News Service

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