The Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development – Dubai SME – has announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Dubai Land Department, aimed at intensifying the integration of small and medium enterprises owned by citizens into the emirate's growing real estate sector, within the framework of supporting the local economy and increasing business opportunities for Emirati entrepreneurs.

Under the agreement, the Dubai Land Department will grant members of Dubai SME greater access to activities related to owners' associations and property management. The initiative includes the possibility of collaboration between real estate companies and entrepreneurs in the fields of design, consulting, contracting, and property management, giving small enterprises a wider opportunity to participate in major projects and expand their presence within the real estate value chain.

This partnership comes within the framework of driving the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai's economy by 2033 and enhance the emirate's attractiveness as a leading hub for local and global companies alike.

On the other hand, Dubai SME plans to facilitate the launch of 8,000 new projects by 2033, in addition to raising the number of supported enterprises to 27,000 companies, compared to 19,000 projects currently.

The agreement also serves the Dubai Real Estate Strategy until 2033, which focuses on increasing the percentage of real estate ownership, raising the sector's contribution to the local GDP, and improving transparency and competitiveness in the market.

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Commenting on the agreement, Ahmed Al Rum Al Muhairi, Acting CEO of Dubai SME, explained that the partnership reflects the commitment of both institutions to empowering Emirati entrepreneurs within the fastest-growing sectors, pointing to the importance of creating direct cooperation opportunities between entrepreneurs and real estate developers, supporting confidence in the seriousness of government entities in supporting the small enterprise sector.

Eng. Abdullah Ahmed Al Shihi, CEO of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority, also pointed out that the Dubai Land Department considers small enterprises a pivotal part of the real estate sector ecosystem, and that the department is working to create a clear regulatory environment that enhances the readiness of these entities to participate in various sector activities, especially with the increasing importance of sustainable growth partnerships.

The terms of the agreement cover enhancing legislative awareness, as the Land Department provides guidance programs for Dubai SME members on real estate systems, legislation, and operating requirements, in addition to organizing joint workshops and awareness campaigns to raise the level of sectoral knowledge among entrepreneurs.

Dubai SME will promote the Land Department's services through its platforms and grant members exceptional opportunities to access them, in addition to offering specialized training programs and communication initiatives with development companies and investors in the sector.