Economic Zones World launches SMEs support initiative
Region’s first Small and Medium Enterprises Forum begins tomorrow in Dubai
More than 200 prominent industrial leaders from across the globe will gather in Dubai tomorrow (Tuesday, April 21) for the region’s first International Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Forum, an Economic Zones World (EZW) Endeavour.
Aimed at vitalising the industrial sector in the Middle East, Dubai Institute of Technology (DIT), an EZW initiative, is organizing a three-day event at Jumeirah Emirates Tower. The event has already generated tremendous response from the sector, reflecting its keenness to open dialogue and find answers to the challenges SMEs face in the current global economic situation.
DIT, in collaboration with the International Network of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (INSME), has designed the Forum as a platform for industry experts, academia, research and development centres as well as international organisations to focus on strengthening the SME sector in order to make maximum use of its economic potential. INSME is one of the world’s leading non-profit associations dedicated to SME innovation, technology transfer and related issues while DIT is a landmark technology initiative of EZW’s TechnoPark.
The initiative is in line with EZW’s commitment towards the region’s economic development through innovative investment incentives.
Salma Hareb, Chief Executive Officer of Economic Zones World, said: “The response from the industry, local and international, is highly encouraging. We see this as a positive sign at a time when the global economic slowdown poses new challenges. By supporting SMEs, we aim to build a basis for sustainable knowledge based development in the region. We are confident that the Forum will bring the best out of experts in terms of new ideas and strategies. SMEs make one of the most vital elements in economic growth and this meeting of minds will provide it with a new momentum that can overcome crises.”
EZW, whose Free Zones host a large number of SMEs, considers supporting the sector as part of its corporate responsibility to national and regional economic development. The DIT SMEs Forum, which is under the theme “Building a Knowledge-based Eco-system for SMEs: Finance, Innovation, Technology and Networking,” reflects this vision.
It will discuss ways to make the sector ‘shock-proof’ with technological, management and financial concepts that can help it deliver long-term results. The focus will be on SME Financing, Cross Border Networking, Transnational Technology Transfer, Entrepreneurship & SME Innovation and Intellectual Capital Structure.
Over 200 leading industry delegates from across the globe are taking part in the Forum’s roundtable sessions, workshops and case studies. The Forum will present a great opportunity for the exchange of ideas, sharing of knowledge and experience as well as promoting investment contracts.
DIT SMEs Forum follows the 5th INSME Annual Meeting 2009, which will take place today (Monday, April 20). This will be the first INSME annual meet to be held in the Middle East region.
The DIT SMEs Forum is supported by various local and international entities including Khalifa Fund, Dubai Economic Department, Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders, Mohammed Bin Rashid Foundation, the Arab Science & Technology Foundation (ASTF), United Nations Industrial Developments Organisation (UNIDO) – Bahrain, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Italian Institute for Industrial Promotion, Italian Ministry of Economic Development, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Italian Embassy of UAE, and the Italian Industry & Commerce Office Dubai.
