Multinational enterprise (MNE) and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME):
THE STATE OF
SMALL & MEDIUM
ENTERPRISES (SMEs) IN DUBAI
A report by Dubai SME
An agency of the Department of Economic Development)
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Foreword by HE Sami Dhaen Al Qamzi, Director General, Department of
Economic Development – Dubai
04
Foreword by HE Abdul Baset Al Janahi, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai SME
05
Introduction to the Report
07
SME Definition for Dubai
09
Structure of the Report and Study Methodology
17
Executive Summary
21
The Dubai Economy
22
Business and SME Landscape in Dubai
23
Performance of the SME Sector
25
Financial Health of SMEs
26
State and Characteristics of SMEs in Dubai
31
- Degree of International Orientation
32
- Prevalence of Innovation
34
- Level of IT Adoption
36
- Degree of Human Capital Orientation
38
- Degree of Corporate Governance Orientation
40
- Level of Access to Finance
42
- Scalability Potential
44
Business Outlook and Key Business Objectives of Dubai’s SMEs
Government Support Ecosystem for SMEs
www.sme.ae
2
| A REPORT BY DUBAI SME
47
48
FOREWORD BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SAMI DHAEN AL QAMZI
Director General, Department of Economic Development – Dubai.
FOREWORD BY HIS EXCELLENCY, ABDUL BASET AL JANAHI
Chief Executive Officer, Dubai SME
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the anchors of any economy as they are primarily responsible for driving job creation, innovation, exports and new business models. They are also the prototypes of tomorrow’s global companies. SMEs account for 95% of the enterprise population in
Dubai and are responsible for 43% of the total workforce and 40% of the total value added in the emirate. This is based on the official definition of
SMEs unveiled by Dubai SME in 2009, which serves as a reliable metric to estimate and ascertain the size and state of the Dubai SME sector and compare it with other economies. I am therefore pleased that
SMALL & MEDIUM
ENTERPRISES (SMEs) IN DUBAI
A report by Dubai SME
An agency of the Department of Economic Development)
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Foreword by HE Sami Dhaen Al Qamzi, Director General, Department of
Economic Development – Dubai
04
Foreword by HE Abdul Baset Al Janahi, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai SME
05
Introduction to the Report
07
SME Definition for Dubai
09
Structure of the Report and Study Methodology
17
Executive Summary
21
The Dubai Economy
22
Business and SME Landscape in Dubai
23
Performance of the SME Sector
25
Financial Health of SMEs
26
State and Characteristics of SMEs in Dubai
31
- Degree of International Orientation
32
- Prevalence of Innovation
34
- Level of IT Adoption
36
- Degree of Human Capital Orientation
38
- Degree of Corporate Governance Orientation
40
- Level of Access to Finance
42
- Scalability Potential
44
Business Outlook and Key Business Objectives of Dubai’s SMEs
Government Support Ecosystem for SMEs
www.sme.ae
2
| A REPORT BY DUBAI SME
47
48
FOREWORD BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SAMI DHAEN AL QAMZI
Director General, Department of Economic Development – Dubai.
FOREWORD BY HIS EXCELLENCY, ABDUL BASET AL JANAHI
Chief Executive Officer, Dubai SME
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are the anchors of any economy as they are primarily responsible for driving job creation, innovation, exports and new business models. They are also the prototypes of tomorrow’s global companies. SMEs account for 95% of the enterprise population in
Dubai and are responsible for 43% of the total workforce and 40% of the total value added in the emirate. This is based on the official definition of
SMEs unveiled by Dubai SME in 2009, which serves as a reliable metric to estimate and ascertain the size and state of the Dubai SME sector and compare it with other economies. I am therefore pleased that