SME Sector is a Major Factor of Economic Growth

Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the chairman of the organizing committee of Middle East SME, a forum for SMEs, emphasized that the forum, which is the largest in the region, reflects the UAE Leadership's support to the youth in view of the importance of this sector in the future economic growth in the region. He said the Middle East SME will represent a major international forum aiming at sustainable development in the sector through developing government policies and funding, integrating SME effectively in the national economic circle and encouraging youth innovation and creativity.

The forum will be organised at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 11 to 13 December 2012, offering a platform for public and private sectors, financial corporations and experts to create business opportunities for the youth in the region, address SME challenges and find suitable solutions. He said that the UAE Leadership believes in youth capabilities and the great opportunities which can be generated by this sector, as the UAE had launched many initiatives during the past years to support youth projects, and these initiatives have enhanced the UAE experience in this vital sector.

The Middle East SME seeks to find a platform that addresses the challenges facing the SME sector in addition to providing the opportunities for initiative owners from the youth to present their plans and projects to decision makers representing government, semi government and private sectors. The Middle East SME will organise a number of initiatives such as awards for investment and ideas, enabling owners of projects and initiatives to present their ideas to international experts and investors. The forum also includes "knowledge sharing among purchase managers" initiatives that will motivate SME companies to penetrate the procurement process in specific sectors along with special sessions that will allow SMEs to interact with investors.