The first three-day global forum on Small and Medium Enterprises held on April 21- 23 in Dubai concluded with a commitment to enhance the sector in key areas. Issues hindering the development of the SME sector were underlined and greater focus was called on the areas technology, training and innovation as well as intellectual property protection to ensure long-term sustainability in the region. The Forum, which attracted over 270 industry leaders from over 40 countries, stimulated urgent, proactive action on SME development through a commitment to key collaborations that will form the blueprint for SME success within the region in the coming months. Firstly, DIT will collaborate with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), an organization of which we are a key member, to establish a center in Dubai to attract direct investment in technology, with a direct goal of creating SME funding, said Salma Hareb, chief executive officer of Economic Zones World. In the second key pillar that supports the blueprint, DIT will work with the Switzerland based World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and UNIDO to establish the region's first design innovation centre, to be based in Dubai.” The third major outcome of the event is that DIT will partner with TORCH, the Chinese business network to set up a base in Dubai to attract Chinese capabilities, including Industries, R&D, universities and other related institutions.
