Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Sunday, November 23rd 2014 [ME NewsWire]

TECOM’s Education Cluster recently hosted the latest in the tri-annual series of TECOM SME Builder events, designed to provide start-ups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with a valuable opportunity to connect with and hear from leading industry experts.

Hosted at Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV), panelists and experts from across a number of industries included Mr. Anas Salim Abu-Hamam, Managing Partner, Platinum Comprehensive Professional Development; Samer Qudah, Partner & Regional Head of Corporate Structuring, Al Tamimi & Co.; Mona Ataya, CEO and Founder of Mumzworld; Mr. Sanjay Kao, Consumer Business Head, Dunia Finance LLC; Yousef Hamza, Director, Envestors; Shim Shah, Chairperson, Carousel-Solutions; Hemal Shah, Engagement Manager, McKinsey & Company; and Hani Ghaith, Sales and Marketing Director (MENA), Qtelmedia Group.

SMEs are a vital part of the UAE’s economy, contributing 60 per cent of GDP and growing rapidly. The UAE Government is committed to driving this sector; in April, UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued Federal Law No.2 of 2014 to decree that 10 per cent of Government contracts be awarded to SMEs and providing them with a number of exemptions to assist growth. In addition, companies in which the Federal Government owns more than 25 per cent will award at least 5 per cent of their contracts to local SMEs. As part of its drive to assist the success of the ambition to nurture SMES, the TECOM SME Builder provides an invaluable platform for businesses and organisations to build relationships and do business at the premier learning and networking arena for individuals and organizations involved across a wide range of SMEs.

Commenting on the event, Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director of TECOM Investments Education Cluster (DIAC) said: “SMEs comprise 95 per cent of all businesses in Dubai, contributing to 40 per cent of the Emirate’s GDP. They are essential to our economic growth and it is therefore vital that these businesses are given access to the necessary knowledge and expertise to help propel them to the next level of success.

“Start-ups and SMEs are born from and thrive upon entrepreneurial and innovative spirit, something that we are very much dedicated to driving, alongside our partners in both Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) and Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV). TECOM SME Builder is an important platform for businesses however far along the SME path they may be, from pre-incubation right through to established companies, to ask questions and gain invaluable insight from expert minds.”

TECOM SME Builder events are open to all businesses located both inside and outside of TECOM Business Parks. For more information, please visit TECOM SME Builder’s dedicated website: http://www.tecomsmebuilder.com/

Notes to editors:

About Dubai Knowledge Village

Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV) is a premier destination in the region dedicated to Vocational Training, Human Resource Management, Executive Search and Professional Development. DKV was established in 2003, as a member of TECOM Investments, to support the Government of Dubai’s vision to transform Dubai into a knowledge-based economy and develop the region’s talent pool.

With over 500 business partners, including SHRM, CEB-SHL, Towers Watson, Hays, Carmichael Fisher and Innovative HR Solutions, DKV aims to establish itself as both a trusted business partner and a center of excellence for professional development.

With the provision of quality training institutes and recruitment consultancy firms, DKV is helping to meet the needs of business by offering required training and skills development programs to professionals and by providing a home of recruiters who will then match these new skills with employers.

About Dubai International Academic City

Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) is the world’s largest Free Zone dedicated to Higher Education. Established in 2007, as part of TECOM Investments – a member of Dubai Holding – DIAC aims to develop the region’s talent pool and help establish the UAE as a knowledge-based economy through the provision of multi-tiered academic institutions that are internationally accredited.

DIAC is located on a fully-appointed 18 million sq ft campus with state-of-the-art facilities. It is home to a large number of  universities from 10 countries, including Amity University, Heriott Watt University, Michigan State University, University of Wollongong, BITS Pilani, Hult International Business School, Murdoch University and Manchester Business School, to name a few.

DIAC provides more than 400 certificate, diploma, undergraduate, post graduate and PHD programmes to over 20,000 students of 125 nationalities.

Contacts

TECOM Investments Education Cluster

Brendan Vyner, Brand Manager,

+971 4 360 2960

Harriet Daly, Bell Pottinger

hdaly@bellpottinger.com