TMCnet News
Etisalat eyes bigger role in empowering SMEs [Gulf News (United Arab Emirates)](Gulf News (United Arab Emirates) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Dubai: Telecommunications operator etisalat aims to play a bigger role in empowering small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE. "SMEs are growing at a faster pace than any other segment and have become a fundamental part of the UAE economy. The segment is the fastest growing contributor to the GDP," Ayman Ebrahim Al Dessouky, chief sales officer at etisalat, told Gulf News after launching a major new commitment to the SME sector. He said there are more than 250,000 SMEs in the UAE. According to studies, only 6 per cent of these companies have an e-commerce presence. But according to the Ministry of Economy, around 300,000 SMEs account for 92 per cent of UAE companies and employ 86 per cent of the private sector workforce. "We have a strategy at etisalat to support and empower SMEs to grow by providing tools and propositions and [helping] them develop their businesses. The strategy was put in place two years ago and we are implementing part of it by providing competitive solutions — infrastructure solutions," Al Dessouky said. An industry expert said that with Expo 2020 in mind, both the telecom operators will come out with sweetened offers to attract SMEs as more entrepreneurs are expected to set up their base in the UAE. "Technology is an enabler for SMEs and start-ups and has balanced my personal and professional life," Mona Tavassoli, founder of momsouq.com, an online community for moms in the UAE, said. (c) 2014 Al Nisr Publishing LLC . All rights reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info, an Albawaba.com company |