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In your opinion, what makes entrepreneurship in Dubai more successful than it is in other Arab cities?

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Question added by Sarah Ali , Senior Evaluation Specialist , United Nations
Date Posted: 2016/04/11
Nuridin Islam Diab
by Nuridin Islam Diab , Training Manager , Bbusinesss LLE

I believe the reason of the success of entrepreneurship in Dubai is the facilities given by the government to the entrepreneurs. It's easy to open a company in Dubai even if you are not a local citizen or if you're not sponsored by one through the free zone areas they have in Dubai. Examples of free zones are: Jebel Ali Free zone, Tecom, JLT free zone, Silicon Oasis, Studio city, DIFC and the presence of RAK and Fujeraih representative companies in dubai for those who'd like to register through their free zones while conducting business in Dubai. Moreover, if you'd like to open an LLC in Dubai and you don't know a local citizen to sponsor you, you can still do that through the services provided by business set up companies in Dubai which guarantees the presence of a trusted silent sponsor and they help you out set up your business with considerate fees. 

 

Also, as a new start-up, you have a lot of business networking events in Dubai which can help you connect with business partners, clients and even potential vendors and investors. There are many freelance consultants who can set up your website and social media tools ans SEO without having to pay huge amounts of money to big companies and they do provide superb quality. 

 

Those are some of the reasons why entrepreneurship is successful in Dubai. 

Amjed Mehboob
by Amjed Mehboob , G.M -(Currently Job Seeking ) , Advance Education centre

I agree with Nuridin Islam Daib  reply ,  these are basic difference in al Gulf countries 

Zain Khater
by Zain Khater , Project Supervisor – StartUp Project , Injaz

Entrepreneurship In Dubai

Dubai’s status as an emerging market makes it an ideal place for entrepreneurship in Dubai. With the constant influx of new residents from every corner of the world, new markets are constantly opening. The Dubai government strongly supports entrepreneurs through the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Awards for Young Leaders and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.  These organizations seek to motivate young Arab leaders to become integral parts of the region’s economy. Government support for young Emirati entrepreneurs is exceptionally generous and there are several grants available for those with a strong business plan. In addition, Dubai Government provides excellent support for Emirati entrepreneurs through the Government Procurement Program, which mandates that all government departments dedicate at least 5% of their annual procurement activities through companies registered with Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders. Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business LeadersAlso known as Dubai SME, the establishment’s key activities focus on the creation of new businesses by offering a platform for ideas and financial support, to inspire entrepreneurial spirit among UAE nationals, raise awareness of business opportunities and support enterprises run by UAE nationals. The Establishment has set up a dedicated AED 700 million UAE fund based on Islamic banking principles, to provide capital at preferential terms for new entrepreneurs and existing small and medium business owners.

Dubai SME also provides advice on start-up basics, protecting your ideas, business planning, financing,marketing and  legal aspects. You can also use the Business Incubation Centre at Dubai SME, if you registerand fulfill the necessary criteria.

 

Women Entrepreneurs in Dubai For many decades, women in Dubai have also been involved in traditional trading and manufacturing activities and handicrafts, usually operated from home. Thanks to the encouragement of the UAE and Dubai government, a more modern entrepreneurial spirit is seen by younger, well-educated women who are engaged in economic activities using advanced information and communication techniques.

 

The Dubai Business Women’s Council, which was established in 2002 under the umbrella of Dubai Chamber, is the official representative organization for women entrepreneurs in Dubai. Membership is a nominal sum of AED 500 per year and applicants can be female business owners, female managers in government or private sector or female graduate entrepreneurs from of the Higher Colleges of Technology or UAE government universities. The Emirates Business Women Council has offices and members in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi and offers networking and support for women entrepreneurs. Applicants must be female and over 21 years of age and holding a managerial position or entrepreneurial owner of a company.

  

Women can also join Heals and Deals, a global community of female entrepreneurs which hosts events in Dubai and overseas. Other possibilities are to join the Dubai Chapter of 85 Broads, a global network of more than 25,000 women entrepreneurs, and the International Business Women’s Group (application criteria and registration given here).

 

Entrepreneurship in Dubai Awards To reward and recognize small businesses and encourage entrepreneurship in Dubai, the government and private sector have a number of awards that are given annually. These include the Mohammed Bin Rashid Awards for Young Business Leaders, which also recognize individuals and organizations that support UAE entrepreneurs.

BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR IN DUBAI

Dubai’s status as an emerging market makes it an ideal place for entrepreneurship in Dubai. With the constant influx of new residents from every corner of the world, new markets are constantly opening. The Dubai government strongly supports entrepreneurs through the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation. Both of these organizations seek to motivate young Arab leaders to become integral parts of their region’s economy.

The first step in starting your business is to create a viable business plan which outlines the aims of the company and communicates to investors and future clients the reasons they should work with you. Government support for young Emirati entrepreneurs is exceptionally generous and there are several grants available for those with a strong business plan. For example, Dubai Chamber has set up Tejar Dubai or Entrepreneurs Development Program for budding entrepreneurs amongst UAE nationals to develop and mentor promising business ideas. 

There are several ways to obtain funding for a new business, including business loans from financial institutions and business grants from the Dubai government. Attracting venture capital is an option for initial funding and is often a serious part of many investors’ portfolios.

 

Another growing area in Dubai and the Arab world is the rise of social entrepreneurs, who create companies not just for a profit but also to fulfil a need in society, or to conserve the environment.

 

In5 for entrepreneurs in Dubai- Dubai Internet City

Afkar.me for entrepreneurs in MENA region - IntigralBecoming an entrepreneur in Dubai-  Dubai SMETraining for entrepreneurs in Dubai - Dubai Entrepreneurshp Academy & Dubai SMEEntrepreneur Business Village - Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young LeadersTejar Dubai Entrepreneurs Development Program for UAE Nationals - Dubai ChamberServices and loans for Emirati entrepreneurs - Khalifa Fund for Enterprise DevelopmentStrategic planning and advice for new venture creation- Nabil Alyousuf & AssociatesSilicon Oasis Founders - Dubai Silicon OasisWamda entrepreneur website - Abraaj CapitalEntrepreneurship in Dubai in Dubai - The Indus Entrepreneurship in Dubaii360 accelerator seed funding ideas - i360 acceleratorPrivate equity & venture capital in Dubai - Dubaibeat.comFund-raising for start-ups in Dubai - Tandem.aeMIT Arab Business Plan Competition - MIT Enterprise ForumFalcon's lair entrepreneurship in Dubai contest - Virtuzone & DubizzleInnovation catalyst for Arab world - Arab Science & Technology FoundationMatching investors with entrepreneurs - envestors.aeIncubating technology startups in Dubai - Danat e-VenturesTechnology start-up meeting nights - Dubai Tech NightsNetwork for female entrepreneurs in Dubai - Heels and DealsAssisting sustainable start-ups in Dubai - Baraka VenturesImpact Hub Dubai for entrepreneurs - Impact Hub DubaiSeed capital for IT entrepreneurs in Dubai - InnSeedMore entrepreneurship in Dubai sources in Dubai - Shelter Dubai

 

Source: dubai.ae

Sidrah Nadeem
by Sidrah Nadeem , Global Marketing Manager , Hill+Knowlton Strategies

For starters, Dubai is home to the most qualified individuals from all over the world, and added to that it's on its upward journey towards growth.

 

Since the model of Dubai thrives on investing in talent there are proper procedures and services to any and everyone who wishes to start their own business. Astrolabs by IBM and Hubspot by Google are two sources that incubate new businesses, giving them assistance and connecting them to relevant people and partners.

 

Additionally, the Universities in Dubai teach Entrepreneurship for people who prefer reading it before applying their Entrepreneurial intuition.

 

Lastly, there are multiple conferences and seminars which connect Entrepreneurs to Investors, making partnerships easy to create and solidify.

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