Dubai's Emirati Supplier Programme channelled more than AED1.78 billion in contracts to Emirati small and medium enterprises in 2025, a 38 percent jump from AED1.29 billion the previous year, cementing its place as one of the region's most significant SME enablement schemes.
Managed by Dubai SME, part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the programme supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the size of the emirate's economy by 2033. For the first time, government procurement alone crossed the AED1 billion mark, with entities awarding over AED1.03 billion, a 58 percent rise on 2024 and 58 percent of total procurement.
Dubai Municipality recorded the highest contract value in the programme, with the Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Police, Expo City Dubai Authority, Dubai Academic Health Corporation, and DET also contributing strongly. The semi-government sector added AED420.5 million, led by Dubai Holding, Emirates Flight Catering, and the Emirates Group.
Private sector participation grew to AED254.9 million, driven by Union Coop, Carrefour, and Emaar Properties, while federal entities including Emirates Health Services and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation contributed AED74.6 million.
More than 84 entities have now partnered with Dubai SME under the programme, benefiting 1,070 registered Emirati enterprises.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, described SME empowerment as a national priority central to the emirate's economic diversification. DET Director General Helal Saeed Almarri called the results a statement of confidence in Dubai's enterprise community, while Dubai SME Acting CEO Ahmad Al Room Almheiri noted that about 80 percent of participating entities delivered record results in 2025, underscoring the growing scale and reliability of Emirati enterprises within government and private supply chains.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
