The Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for the development of small and medium enterprises (Dubai SME), a part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has outlined its ambitious plan to support and develop the entrepreneurial community in various fields in Hatta.
Dubai SME’s new plan for Hatta entrepreneurs aligns with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, to empower young citizens of Hatta to start their own businesses and implement new creative approaches that ensure the sustainable economic development of the region, contribute to raising the standard of living and ensure the well-being of the people.
In addition to Hatta’s status as a major regional leisure hotspot, facilitating further development of the Hajar Mountain community, considered one of the UAE’s most prominent tourism, heritage and cultural destinations, is a cornerstone of the Dubai Urban Master Plan 2040. The plan covers four key strategic pillars: well-being, tourism, sports and activities, and sustainability, with a specific focus on preserving Hatta’s natural environment, boosting its development and enriching its tourism competitiveness. The plan also seeks to support national projects that meet the current and future ambitions of Hatta residents, creating opportunities to support Emiratis in a way that stimulates tourism and encourages entrepreneurial activity while preserving the region’s unique geographic identity. Workshopscourses and training programs
In 2022, Dubai SME accelerated its efforts to train and empower Hatta youth to embrace entrepreneurship by starting or expanding their own businesses. Dubai SME organized various training courses and specialized programs to provide advice, guidance and information to local entrepreneurs. Last year, 401 citizens participated in 19 workshops, while in two specialized programs (the Certified Professional Entrepreneurship Diploma and the Certified Agricultural Entrepreneurship Professional Diploma) 103 citizens participated in 52 projects.
Earlier this year, Dubai SME also organized several training courses in creative business thinking, business leadership, creativity management and e-commerce to further develop students’ skills. Since the start of the program last year, Dubai SME has issued 34 fee-exempt business licenses in the Hatta region, including eight national licenses.
Project financing
Having facilitated targeted funds for numerous projects, Dubai SME remains committed to providing financial assistance for the launch or expansion of projects that add value to the Hatta region and its people. Dubai SME actively encourages Emirates Entrepreneurs contact the establishment and request financing.
To date, an apiary project in the Hatta Mountains (Al Doror for honey and date trade) is one of the most prominent projects receiving loans for SME establishment and expansion in Dubai. In addition to its agricultural and environmental impacts, the project includes the construction of an apiary consisting of 3,000 hives with a production capacity of more than 20 metric tons of honey each year.
Elsewhere, Tanor Restaurant has received financial support, allowing its owners to develop and expand their operations. Renowned for its famous local dishes, the restaurant serves delicious food in a distinctive atmosphere. Besides, How to Make Hats for the Beauty Salon Supply Tradewhich provides beauty supplies, tools, perfumes and non-pharmaceutical preparations to licensed beauty centers in the Hatta region, has also received support from Dubai SME.
His Excellency Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of Dubai SME, said: “In accordance with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai SME has implemented an integrated plan targeting young Emirati talents in Hatta. We are committed to providing them with financial and technical support as we continue our mission of supporting Emirati entrepreneurs and other businesses. The support provided by Dubai SME over the past year to Hatta-based entrepreneurs, as well as other citizens, is a critical factor in achieving the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, including the integration of Emiratis into the force employment in all high-performance sectors.
“As we work towards achieving the D33 Agenda’s key objective of further cementing Dubai’s status as one of the top three global cities within the next decade, we will continue to identify and capitalize on investment opportunities by fostering an environment where entrepreneurship and the next generation of business leaders thrive. Through strategic initiatives, mentorship programs, and access to resources, we are dedicated to equipping our entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed. This support extends beyond financial assistance; It encompasses knowledge sharing, networking opportunities and a nurturing environment. ecosystem where ideas can become successful businesses.”
A business facilitation center supporting Hatta youth projects
To enable young people in the region to start their projects and turn their ideas into reality, a new business facilitation centre, Tasheel, has been established at the Hatta Community Center to support young entrepreneurs and SME owners, who can use smart services to issue tax-free emissions. business licenses, including obtaining an Intelaq license through the Invest in Dubai platform. The center also offers multipurpose rooms and a meeting room as a center for entrepreneurs.
In this context, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, represented by Dubai SME, signed a cooperation agreement with the Community Development Authority with the aim of developing the Tasheel Center for Entrepreneurship site and supporting Hatta youth projects in the Hatta Community Center, providing the establishment with services in the smart corner of the center, as well as allowing them to use the building and commercial facilities of the center. Dubai SME also provided special devices for entrepreneurs to register and receive their services. They will also be able to take advantage of the space in the games room on the ground floor to organize some events and hold specialized exhibitions. They can also use the space allocated to the prep kitchen to support business owners and others.
Through financial and technical support, Dubai SME has contributed to several Hatta success stories, including projects related to construction and contracting companies; blacksmithing, carpentry and aluminum; food; tourist and leisure establishments; productive farms; hotels and vacation homes; restaurants and cafes; gyms; services; home projects; and more.
About Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)
With the ultimate vision of making Dubai the world’s leading commercial hub, investment hub and tourism destination, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) is mandated to support the government in positioning the emirate as a major hub for the global economy and tourism and in boosting the city’s economic and tourism competitiveness indicators, in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy and consolidate its position among the three major global cities over the next decade.
Under this remit, DET is driving efforts to further enhance Dubai’s diversified and innovative service-based economy to attract top global talent, deliver a world-class business environment and accelerate productivity growth. Additionally, DET supports Dubai’s vision of becoming the best city in the world to live and work by promoting its diverse destination proposition, unique lifestyle and overall excellent quality of life.
DET is the main authority for planning, supervising, developing and marketing Dubai’s business and tourism sectors. It is also responsible for licensing and classifying all types of businesses, including hotels, tour operators and travel agents. DET’s portfolio includes Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), Dubai Business Licensing Corporation (DBLC), Dubai Corporation for Consumer Protection and Fair Trade (DCCPFT), Dubai SMEs, Dubai Tourism and Marketing Corporation (DCTCM), Dubai festivals and retail. Establishment (DFRE) and Dubai College of Tourism (DCT).
Source: Zawya Press Release
