Net output of Dubai SME100 nominees for 2013 seen at
AED 53.3 billion as ranking gains growing recognition
Nearly 3,000 firms, accounting for 4% of Dubai’s SMEs as well as estimated value-add of AED
16.2 billion and estimated total employment of 93,500, nominated for the ranking
Dubai SME, the agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) mandated to
develop the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector announced that 2,963 SMEs have
been nominated for the 2013 Dubai SME100 ranking. The nominations represent a 171 %
increase over the 1,092 SMEs nominated for the 2011 ranking.
Registrations for the ranking were opened in January 2013 and since then have been
witnessing a high level of interest and response from the SME community. The total number
of SME registrations and nominations in 2013 represent about four per cent of the eligible
SMEs with at least three years of operations.
Considering industry averages, the 2013 nominees represent an estimated output of AED
53.3 billion, estimated value-add of AED 16.2 billion, and a workforce of around 93,500.
Sector-wise, 53 per cent of the SMEs nominated are from the trading sector, 36 per cent
from the services sector and 11 per cent from the manufacturing sector.
Launched under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid
Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, Dubai
SME100 identifies the top-performing SMEs in Dubai to help groom them into bigger and
more sustainable enterprises, and support them through their growth into larger,
internationally-oriented companies.
Post ranking, the SMEs are given specialised capability development training in such critical
areas as investment development, corporate governance, valuation, legal support and risk
management. The ranking is valid for two years.
Abdul Baset Al Janahi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai SME, said: “We are delighted at the
substantial increase seen in Dubai SME100 applications compared to 2011. It shows the
level of interest in the ranking and its growing market recognition. We hope that more
SMEs will apply for the ranking as it will help them gain greater value in the market, as
demonstrated by the 2011 batch of Dubai SME100 companies.”
In the next step, Dubai SME will start to shortlist qualified SMEs for evaluation before the
ranking of the top 100 SMEs. Site visits will also be conducted to evaluate the nominees’
focus on innovation, human capital development, international orientation and corporate
governance.
Total Nominations
Estimated Total Output in AED millions
Estimated Total Employment
Estimated Total Value Add AED millions
-EndsAbout Dubai SME:
Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED), Government of Dubai, aims to
foster an entrepreneurial culture and develop a competitive SME sector for the Emirate of Dubai. The key
strategies adopted by Dubai SME are: advocate a pro-business environment for developing entrepreneurship
and SMEs, seed innovative start-ups and groom promising SMEs.
Dubai SME’s vision is to make Dubai the centre for innovative SMEs to start, grow and expand their businesses,
thus adding greater value to the economy of Dubai.
For further information, please contact:
Nafisa Elmarzouky
Marketing & Communication Department
Department of Economic Development
Tel: (971 4) 3613067
Email: nafisa.elmarzouky@dubaided.gov.ae