The National Program for Small and Medium Enterprises and Enterprises of the Ministry of Economy has recently reached an advanced and final stage on an initiative for a cooperation agreement with the European Commission that will allow UAE SMEs to access European markets and obtain funding from international organizations through partnership agreements with Similar UNHCR companies.
The program said that the initiative of cooperation with the European Commission in the SME sector includes the establishment of a joint database of 1,700 small companies owned by Emiratis and 5000 small and medium-sized European companies to enable joint cooperation in various fields. The new initiative is expected to be signed with the European Commission during the coming period, and is expected to enter into force in September.
Dr. Adeeb Al-Afifi, Director General of the program, said: "The program has completed advanced and final stages in implementing a cooperation initiative with the European Commission, including cooperation and partnership with the UNHCR SME Management, and the establishment of a joint database of 1,700 small and medium- , With 5000 small and medium European companies in different sectors ».
"The new initiative will enable UAE SMEs to access all European markets in the coming period, through partnerships with European companies, as part of the initiative and the joint agreement, by treating UAE companies that will operate partnerships as branches of UAE companies, In the European markets, and the opportunity to participate in exhibitions and joint training courses through these facilities, in addition to access to funding from international organizations under the umbrella of the European Commission ».
"The UAE SMEs will also benefit from this initiative in the transfer of advanced technologies and expertise from European companies operating in similar sectors."
He added that «the signing of the agreement of the joint cooperation initiative will be in the coming period, while it is expected to enter into force in practice during the month of September, in accordance with the initial steps of completion that have been completed in the steps of the initiative».
"The initiative will give European companies opportunities to work and invest in the UAE market through partnership with small and medium-sized UAE companies, which will be reflected on both sides positively in the small enterprise sector."
"As part of its application of modern smart standards, the program has recently launched an application platform for smartphones that allows the members of the program most of the services in an electronic and easy way, enabling the entrepreneurs to complete registration and participation in the exhibitions supported by the program.
"The Smart Application Platform also allows business participants from the national program to register for training and qualification courses, or to ask letters of recommendation from the program management to various government agencies, in addition to a number of other electronic services."