Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (MBRE), an agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED), has signed a partnership agreement with UAE telecom operator du to support national SME businesses.

As per the deal, the MBRE members in Dubai who are accredited with the government procurement program will be given preference when offering tenders or bids at du.

Abdul Baset Al Janahi, MBRE chief executive officer and Fahad Al Hassawi, chief human resources and shared services officer, du, signed the deal in the presence of senior officials.

Commenting on the deal, Al Janahi said, 'MBRE will provide a list of its accredited members to du, so that the company can allocate an agreed percentage of selected purchases for some categories of its goods and services specifically to them.'

“Enhanced co-operation is one of the cornerstones of the growth of small and medium enterprises. Our agreement with du not only highlights the increased focus of MBRE in promoting public-private partnerships but also in creating new growth opportunities for the SME sector,' he added.

On the latest move, Al Hassawi said, 'We are proud of this partnership and to be able to contribute as a national company in nurturing the SME sector especially with regard to Emarati entrepreneurs.'

'Through this pact, we want to support MBRE members by offering them opportunity and priority in providing services to du,' he added-TradeArabia News Service