The Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme, launched by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) in 2023 to boost SME participation in procurement opportunities with large private companies (LCs) and government-related entities (GREs), awarded AED88.6 million in procurement deals, within the first six months of its launch, to exceed expectations.
During the pilot phase, the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme awarded 54 tenders and contracts to 49 SMEs, with an average procurement value of AED1.8 million, with some companies awarded multiple tenders from various LCs and GREs.
The programme — which started with four champions — has expanded significantly, serving as a catalyst for SMEs to engage in private and public sector procurement opportunities and scale their businesses. By creating avenues for SMEs to thrive, the programme aims to drive economic growth, diversification, and innovation.
Small enterprises were allocated 63.5 per cent of the total procurement deals, valued at AED56 million, while 36.2 per cent were awarded to medium-sized companies, valued at AED32.1 million, alongside additional procurement deal awards.
SMEs in the telecommunications sector represented 11 per cent of the contracts, followed by electrical sector SMEs at six per cent, while consultancy and security SMEs constituted four per cent each. SMEs operating in other sectors and activities, including construction, apparel, and catering, represented 75 per cent of the awarded tenders and contracts.
835 applications were received from SMEs operating in different sectors, with 190 suppliers identified during the programme’s first six months of operation.
Mouza Al Nasri, Executive Director, SMEs Sector at ADDED, said: “We are delighted to see the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme soar to new heights and exceed its initial targets. The interest shown illustrates the potential of our SME sector in the emirate and the benefits that can be reaped with the right support. We extend our thanks and appreciation to our partners and SMEs ecosystem stakeholders for their valuable contributions to the success of this ambitious programme”.
“As we continue to rapidly move towards a knowledge-based, smart, diversified, inclusive, and sustainable economy, SMEs in Abu Dhabi have huge potential for future growth, and will make vital contributions to ensuring that we have a strong, resilient, and sustainable economy for generations to come. To this end, we have launched various initiatives and programmes, including the ‘SME Finance Facilitator’, which improves SMEs’ access to financial services and products by facilitating the process for opening bank accounts and accessing credit facilities to support working capital needs and long-term growth.”
Major companies such as e&, Aldar, Etihad Aviation Group, Industrial Capital Group, and Emirates Steel Arkan have joined the SME Champions programme in its pilot phase, actively participating in awarding tenders and contracts to several SMEs. The programme has onboarded a number of LC and GRE ‘champions’, such as the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi (DGE); Department of Tourism and Culture – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi); Department of Finance – Abu Dhabi; Masdar City; Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED); Abu Dhabi Ports; Aghtia Group; Emirates Development Bank (EDB); Miral, and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), with a total target of AED230 million in procurement opportunities to be provided for SMEs in 2024.
The programme provides SMEs with upskilling sessions and support, enabling them to compete for procurement opportunities with large companies, government related entities and government bodies.
The Abu Dhabi SME Champions Programme comes under ADDED’s SMEs sector.
