The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has partnered with Amazon UAE to introduce the ‘DET x Amazon Accelerator,’ aimed at empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Dubai. This initiative will enhance local businesses’ competitiveness on the global stage by providing advanced digital tools, resources, and mentorship.
As part of the broader Dubai Traders initiative—one of ten key components of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33—the accelerator aims to establish Dubai as a leading hub for entrepreneurship and SME growth through collaboration with major private sector companies. The agreement was signed by Helal Saeed Almarri, director-general of DET, and Ronaldo Mouchawar, vice president of Amazon Middle East, North Africa, and Türkiye, alongside Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), and Jasmin Frick, director of Seller Success at Amazon MENA.
The DET x Amazon Accelerator will support SMEs through several key initiatives:
- Access to Amazon’s Network: SMEs will gain access to Amazon’s extensive network, facilitating their expansion beyond the UAE.
- Tailored Workshops: Amazon UAE will provide customized workshops to help SMEs utilize its tools and strategies effectively.
- Personalized Guidance: SMEs will receive guidance from Amazon’s trusted service providers to optimize growth opportunities, including account registration and advertising.
- Shop Local Storefront: A dedicated “Shop Local” storefront will increase visibility for local sellers during significant sales events.
- Amazon Ads Credits: SMEs will be offered credits for launching marketing campaigns to reach wider audiences.
Hadi Badri emphasized that this collaboration is a significant step towards achieving the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 goals, aiming to accelerate the growth of Dubai-based businesses globally. Mouchawar underlined the program’s role in supporting small businesses, stating it will expedite their growth and digital transformation.
With plans to feature products from 100,000 businesses on Amazon by 2026, the accelerator is set to drive substantial growth in Dubai’s SME sector.
