Dubai SME and Google have teamed up to launch a pilot programme providing 10 Emirati SMEs with digital marketing tools, ads credits, and mentorship to enhance their global competitiveness.
DUBAI: Dubai SME, an agency under the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has announced a landmark partnership with Google to support the digital growth of Emirati-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The initiative was unveiled in the presence of senior officials including HE Issam Kazim (DET), Ahmad Alroom Almheiri (Dubai SME), and Google MENA executives Anthony Nakache and Martin Roeske.
In its pilot phase, the programme will select 10 high-potential Emirati businesses to receive access to premium digital marketing tools, advertising credits, and strategic mentorship. The co-funding model splits costs evenly between Dubai SME, Google, and the participating SMEs, promoting accountability and ownership.
The programme addresses key pain points for SMEs – from budget constraints to lack of digital expertise – enabling them to build brand visibility and scale globally with lower capital outlay.
Participants will also receive practical guidance from DET’s network and ecosystem, including support on content creation, strategy, and campaign optimisation. Upon successful completion, the programme will be scaled to benefit a broader pool of Emirati SMEs under the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.
Ahmad Alroom Almheiri, Acting CEO of Dubai SME, said the collaboration represents a major step toward realising D33’s vision of Dubai as the world’s most SME-friendly business hub. “By investing in genuine digital capability, we’re giving Emirati businesses the confidence and tools to compete globally,” he said.
Martin Roeske, Google’s Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy, MENA, added, “Technology is the great equaliser. This programme puts Google’s most advanced AI and advertising tools in the hands of Emirati entrepreneurs to help them compete worldwide.”
The pilot kicks off later this year, with performance data guiding the development of future digital enablement programmes for the SME sector.
