In its latest bid to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the emirate, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has extended its support to e-commerce giant Amazon UAE ‘DET x Amazon Accelerator’. This particular partnership was declared on September 25, 2024, and its main purpose is to increase the readiness of SMEs based in Dubai for international competition and to facilitate their digital transitions[1].

The DET x Amazon Accelerator lies within the larger context of the Dubai Traders plan within the framework of D33, the Dubai Economic Agenda. The agenda presented by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, consists of ten megaprojects aimed at reinforcing the Dubai’s economic development and innovation framework[1].

The chief purpose of the accelerator program is to provide SMEs with the most effective digital solutions, guidance, and support so that they can advance their digital transformation initiatives and gain a broader global presence. In terms of the concept of the initiative, its primary goals include developing digital presence, digitizing supply chain, and opening a path towards multiple online retail channels to ensure the Dubai based businesses reach global customers and markets[1].

The partnership of DET and Amazon Accelerator saw the signing ceremony was graced by senior officials of both organizations. Signing this agreement was attended by Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Ronaldo Mouchawar, the Vice President of AMEA and Turkey of Amazon. The official signing was done by Hadi Badri – CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC) and Jasmin Frick, Director of Seller Success – Amazon MENA[1].

Hadi Badri stressed on this partnership, pointing that it was an essential move towards achieving the vision within the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to support and enable the local SMEs to unlock the potential of digital commerce. He underscored that, as an integrated set of tools and services, the Dubai Traders program is intended to help businesses based in Dubai and boost their worldwide presence more rapidly, thus strengthening Dubai’s claims to be an engine of innovation and growth[1].

Ronaldo Mouchawar agreed with Lina, pointing at small businesses as the essence of both local populations and the cornerstones of each economy. He explained the pride of Amazon to partner with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism to create the DET x Amazon Accelerator, a readiness program aimed at preparing the next steps of development and to stimulate further digitalisation among hundreds of Dubai SMEs.

The beginning of this accelerator program matches Amazon’s expansion strategy to sell products from 100,000 firms, both international and local SMEs, on Amazon.ae in the future. This target brings out the fact that e-commerce titan is willing to help in the development of small business/start-ups in the region[1].

The partnership of DET with Amazon Accelerator will considerably transform the business environment in Dubai specially for SMEs seeking to enhance their digital promotion and entrance to international markets. Through Amazon and DET’s e-commerce experience, the participating businesses will have oodles of knowledge, opportunities, and support.

Such programmes are critical as Dubai seeks to create the innovation and entrepreneurship hub by providing support to such startups. Through equipping the SMEs with the appropriate knowledge and tools required in the present market, Dubai is not only helping the local business sector but also helping the country become more competitive on the global market.

The introduction of this program is timely because firms and other organizations are now under immense pressure to embrace the digital agenda and e-business strategies. The outbreak of COVID-19 has massively impacted the online business and business digitization in that the small and medium-sized enterprises must survive and grow in this newly created market.

Since the DET x Amazon Accelerator is now coming to life, it should cause a great amount of interest amongst Dubai based SMEs who are interested in new growth prospects. The positive outcome of this campaign could inspire the sort of government-technology partnerships in other parts of the world, which enhance the digital enablement of small businesses globally.