Dubai SME, the agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) mandated to develop the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, has signed a partnership agreement with Microsoft Gulf and the du, to offer a competitive and innovative information and communication technology (ICT) package for businessmen and investors.

The initiative follows the recent visit of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, to DED during which they discussed working towards further enhancing existing processes to improve Dubai’s global ranking in competitiveness and ease of doing business

The new package will enable businesses to start their operations with speed and ease within a second of having their trade license issued or renewed by DED.

“The new service package reflects our broader commitment to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to strengthen the investment environment in Dubai, promote competitiveness and underline the city’s status as a regional business hub,” stated His Excellency Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of DED.

The new package from Microsoft Gulf and du is planned to offer a suite of ICT and mobility services required for the SME to setup their businessThe package and its features offer businessmen up to 80% of savings in terms of cost, in addition to the speed and ease of launching their businesses.

“Dubai SME is keen to support the growth of the SME sector and enhance its contribution to the economy. This initiative reflects the vision of Dubai’s leadership to further enhance the competitiveness of the Emirate. More than 72, 000 SMEs will benefit from the package of services, which is due to be executed in the second half of 2012,” commented Abdul Baset Al Janahi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai SME.

Al Janahi noted that this initiative will also provide substantial savings in efforts and costs to new entrepreneurs looking for efficiencies in terms of business and investment. He also emphasised Dubai SME’s pursuit to promote business and diversification in line with DED’s policy of creating a globally competitive economic system in Dubai.

Commenting on the agreement, Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer, du, said: “This new package is the result our intensive discussions with Dubai SME and Microsoft which addresses three critical elements of any SME start-up - convenience, speed and value. Now entrepreneurs can focus more on their business strategy while their ICT needs are taken care of through one well-rounded and consolidated package.”

“Microsoft Gulf is optimistic around the opportunity that this ICT package provides SMEs in the UAE. We are committed to continuously nurturing the UAE’s entrepreneurs and providing them with technological solutions that support their innovation,” said Samer Abu Ltaif, Regional General Manager at Microsoft Gulf.

“The future of productivity lies in collaboration in the cloud and Microsoft is keen to support SMEs with our productivity and collaboration tools which improve productivity and competitiveness and reduce costs. We are proud of our alignment with the vision of the Dubai government and leaders to empower the country’s SME sector and further strengthen Dubai’s role as a technology hub in the region,” continued Abu Ltaif.

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