Dubai: Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has partnered with Amazon UAE to launch the ‘DET x Amazon Accelerator,’ a new initiative aimed at supporting local startups and entrepreneurs. The program is designed to bolster the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Dubai, and enhance their competitiveness on the international stage.
The accelerator is part of the broader Dubai Traders initiative, which is one of the ten transformative initiatives introduced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, as a component of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.
H.E. Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and Ronaldo Mouchawar, Vice President of Amazon Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, the agreement was signed by Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), and Jasmin Frick, Director of Seller Success at Amazon MENA were the attendees of the launch.
The accelerator program will offer participants access to mentorship from industry experts, workshops on e-commerce strategies, and networking opportunities with potential investors. Additionally, startups will receive guidance on leveraging Amazon’s platform to reach a broader audience and improve their online presence.
Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation at DET, stated that, “Our collaboration with Amazon marks a pivotal step in fulfilling the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33’s goal of empowering local SMEs to harness the full potential of digital commerce. By offering a tailored comprehensive suite of tools and support, the Dubai Traders program aims to accelerate the growth of Dubai-based businesses and extend their reach globally, further solidifying Dubai’s position as a leading hub for innovation and economic growth.”
Ronaldo Mouchawar, Vice President of Amazon Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, commented that, “Small businesses are at the heart of our local communities and the backbone of every economy. That is why we are honored to collaborate with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to launch the ‘DET x Amazon Accelerator’, a capacity building program that aims to expedite the next phase of growth and digital transformation for hundreds of Dubai SMEs. This reiterates our commitment to Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and advances our ambition to host products from 100,000 businesses, including local SMEs on Amazon.ae by 2026.”
Officials from DET emphasized that this collaboration aligns with Dubai’s vision to foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and diversify the economy. The initiative aims to empower local businesses to harness digital technologies, ultimately driving economic growth and job creation in the emirate.
With the launch of the ‘DET x Amazon Accelerator,’ Dubai aims to position itself as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. The partnership marks a significant step in enhancing Dubai’s reputation as a leading destination for business and investment.