Dubai SME and Tejari join hands to boost SME participation in government procurement

Dubai SME, the agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai mandated to develop the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, has signed an agreement with the e-procurement solutions provider Tejari to launch a smart services portal for pre-qualification and registration of members participating in the government procurement programme (GPP). The portal, which is the first of its kind in the region, is being introduced in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world.

The smart procurement option will facilitate pre-qualification and registration of suppliers, thereby enabling SMEs in Dubai and across the region to actively involve in procurement contracts awarded by government entities in Dubai as well as in the smart services strategy of the emirate. The agreement was signed by Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of Dubai SME, and Marwan Al Naqi, Chairman of Tejari, in the presence of officials from both sides.

Expressing delight on the partnership with Tejari, Al Janahi said it aims to contribute to the growth vision and strategy of Dubai and also enhance the services offered to Dubai SME members in support of their efforts to make a positive economic, social and cultural impact.

“The smart services portal links SMEs on an electronic platform and enables exchange of data and information to identify qualified SMEs and entrepreneurs. Through this extraordinary initiative we seek to support the ongoing efforts to increase the contribution of SMEs to the non-oil GDP of Dubai and improve the emirate’s ranking in the ease of doing business across global indices in line with the Dubai Plan 2021,” said Al Janahi.

The smart procurement portal will allow qualified SMEs to receive updates on government contracts and conditions governing such contracts, share information and expertise, and participate in the procurement process, added Al Janahi.

"We aim to develop entrepreneurship in the UAE, and highlight the opportunities available to our member SMEs to grow their business by supplying the various requirements of government entities in Dubai. The portal will alert SMEs on the best business and investment opportunities. We will continue to develop the smart interface of the portal in collaboration with Tejari,” said Al Janahi

Al Janahi also thanked the government, semi-government and private sectors for their co-operation in promoting SME development and said the smart services portal would enhance SME competitiveness and growth.

Under the agreement, Dubai SME will maintain an updated list of its members and smart mail system while Tejari will provide the required support for implementing the smart system and modifying the Enterprise Server accordingly. Tejari will also help Dubai SME members to activate their participation and process data on the smart system and extend technical support.

“Dubai, and the UAE in general, have been pioneers in adopting technology as an enabler of development. The vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the directives of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai to transform the city into the smartest in the world promises a new way of life driven by creativity and innovation,” said Marwan Al Naqi.

“Globally, SMEs are being acknowledged as a reliable measure of economic success and in Dubai, they have a major role in the economic diversification policy pursued by the emirate. Tejari is proud to be partners with Dubai SME to provide a smart platform for pre-qualification and tendering of procurement contracts and together, we aim to bring a major shift in the local business environment and the SME sector,” concluded Al Naqi.

Al Janahi said the Dubai SME members were awarded AED 632 million worth of contracts during the first half of 2016 under the government procurement programme. “Altogether, contracts worth 3.2 billion dirhams have been facilitated by Dubai SME for the benefit of Emirati entrepreneurs and SMEs since inception. We focus on partnerships among SMEs as well as between the public, private and semi-government sectors in supporting SMEs.”