Dubai SME, the agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai mandated to develop the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, has launched a campaign to raise awareness on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations and adopted by the Dubai SME 2021 Plan. Running on Dec. 18-22, 2016, the campaign will bring to focus the social and economic impact of entrepreneurship development, while also showcasing outstanding corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives among Dubai SME members that are well-aligned with the Sustainability Development Goals. The Sustainable Development Goals, officially known as ‘Transforming our world; the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development' are an intergovernmental set of aspirational goals supported by 193 countries. The 17 goals comprise 169 targets covering a broad range of sustainable development issues. Through the campaign Dubai SME aims to highlight the alignment of its initiatives and programs with the SDGs. Goal 8 among SDGs, for example, aims to "Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalisation and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services." Speaking of the campaign, Abdul Baset Al Janahi, CEO of Dubai SME, remarked SME-focused initiatives are integral to mobilizing the most effective resources and skills towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. "SMEs resemble 95% of businesses registered in Dubai and they play a major role in sustainable development. In fact entrepreneurs and SMEs constitute the backbone of our economy as they are the prime source of innovation and creativity. Entrepreneurship is about creative disruption and finding new ways of creating value, which is essential for sustainability and inclusiveness," said Al Janahi. "Since its inception, Dubai SME has regularly added a range of initiatives, affiliates and partners to its portfolio with the objective of promoting innovation, skills development, enterprise growth and sustainability," added Al Janahi. The Hamdan Innovation Incubator (Hi2), Dubai Entrepreneurship Academy, Dubai SME100, Young Entrepreneur Competition (YEC) and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Award for Young Business Leaders (YBL) are among the Dubai SME initiatives that will be emphasized throughout the latest campaign. "Many of our member businesses have made remarkable strides in pursuing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the areas of renewables, waste reduction and management, safe and affordable housing, universal primary and secondary education, and the protection of cultural and natural heritage. The achievements of those SMEs will also be mentioned prominently throughout our campaign," Al Janahi said. The Dubai SME100 is a unique initiative in promoting innovation and people development wherein top-performing SMEs are identified for grooming them into bigger and more sustainable enterprises. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Award for Young Business Leaders also serves as an inspiration to outstanding entrepreneurs as well as individuals and organizations that support such entrepreneurs. Dubai SME has recently reviewed the assessment criteria of both Dubai SME100 and YBL to include CSR. The Dubai Entrepreneurship Academy functions as the education arm of Dubai SME, in line with the Goal 4 among SDGs, which is to "substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship" by 2030. Established under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, Hi2 aims to empower Dubai as the entrepreneurial capital of the region by enabling Emirati entrepreneurs to advance through the various stages of enterprise life cycle, from conceiving a business idea to developing it into a full-fledged project. The Young Entrepreneur Competition has also evolved as an enabler of Goal 4, as an annual forum for students from high schools and universities in the region to demonstrate and develop their entrepreneurial talent. — SG
