Dubai SME, part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, has signed a partnership with Deliveroo to strengthen opportunities for Emirati-owned small and medium-sized enterprises in the food and beverage sector.
The agreement aims to accelerate digital adoption, ease market entry, and support entrepreneurs with the tools needed to expand their customer reach and long-term competitiveness.
The Memorandum of Understanding offers SMEs commercial incentives including tailored onboarding fees, preferential commission structures, and extensive promotional support. The collaboration also provides operational training, in-app marketing visibility, and personalised account management to help businesses navigate the transition to digital platforms.
Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, Acting CEO of Dubai SME, said the initiative reflects Dubai’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurship and advancing the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which seeks to double the city’s economy by 2033. He highlighted that SMEs remain vital to the emirate’s economic growth, especially in the culinary sector where they drive creativity and innovation.
Deliveroo Middle East General Manager Nick Price said the partnership will reduce barriers for local entrepreneurs while equipping them with the digital tools to scale sustainably. He noted that public-private collaborations play a key role in boosting innovation and economic diversification.
SMEs account for more than 90% of Dubai’s registered businesses and employ most of the private sector workforce. Dubai SME aims to grow its support base to 27,000 Emirati ventures by 2033, up from 19,000 in 2024, positioning partnerships such as this one as critical to building a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
