Second edition of the National Forum for SMEs – Government Procurement 2026 offers government contracts and tenders worth AED 2.445 billion

Forum reflects the UAE’s commitment to enhancing readiness of Emirati SMEs to compete for contracts and tenders issued by government entities and national companies

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism (MoET), in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, organised the second edition of the National Forum for SMEs – Government Procurement 2026. The event was held over two days, 27-28 January, in Dubai, with the participation of more than 90 federal and local entities and national companies, including the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and 30 national SMEs. Nearly 800 government officials, procurement managers, and Emirati entrepreneurs attended the event.

This forum enabled Emirati SMEs to benefit from government contracts and tenders worth AED 2.445 billion offered by federal and local entities and national companies during 2026. This contributes to entrepreneurial development in the country and reflects the UAE’s standing as a leading hub for enterprises and startups at the regional and international levels.

Forum embodies the UAE’s vision for promoting entrepreneurship

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, said: “The forum embodies the UAE’s vision for empowering and developing Emirati SMEs, recognizing their importance in enhancing the growth of the national economy. This is especially relevant since global economic experiences have proven that the most sustainable economies are those with a broad base of SMEs. The forum also reflects the effective strategic partnership between the government and the business sector in the country.”

Government and national company contracts worth AED 806 million awarded to SMEs

H.E. Bin Touq also added: “The value of government contracts and tenders awarded to national SMEs by federal and local entities and national companies reached AED 806 million in 2025, compared to AED 582 million in 2024, achieving a growth of 38 per cent. In its first edition in 2024, the national forum provided government contracts and tenders worth AED 2.3 billion to Emirati SMEs.”

He said: “The UAE believes that developing SMEs is not merely a choice, but a fundamental strategic necessity to ensure sustainable growth, enhance competitiveness, and build an advanced economy based on knowledge and innovation. Thanks to the directives of its wise leadership, the UAE has been keen to provide all enablers and opportunities to support this vital sector and enhance its contribution to the growth and competitiveness of the national economy.”

SMEs constitute 63 per cent of the national economy

In this context, The Minister of Economy and Tourism said: “SMEs form the backbone of our national economy, making up nearly 95 per cent of the total companies operating in the UAE today. With their number reaching 1.33 million, they account for more than 85 per cent of jobs in the private sector. Their contribution to the UAE’s GDP has reached 63 per cent, which confirms their vital role in enhancing economic activity and increasing productivity in the country’s markets.”

Forum a key milestone in enhancing readiness of national SMEs

In his opening speech at the forum, His Excellency Abdullah Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, said: “Government procurement is a strategic driver for the growth and excellence of SMEs, transcending its traditional role as a source of temporary contracts to become a key instrument for translating national policies and strategies into tangible economic impact. In this context, the hosting of the largest national forum of its kind reflects the UAE’s commitment to enhancing the readiness of our SMEs to compete for contracts and tenders issued by government entities and national companies, and to equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to maximise the opportunities available.”

His Excellency Al Saleh added: “Through our diverse partnerships, we will continue our efforts to build an integrated and advanced government procurement ecosystem in the UAE, and enhance integration between relevant entities, national companies, and the private sector. The Ministry of Finance is a key partner in this ecosystem, given its vital role in developing the general framework for government procurement, setting the regulating policies and legislation, and enhancing transparency and unifying procedures.”

The Undersecretary further stated: “We count on our partners in the government and private sectors to issue government procurement tenders that align with the capabilities of SMEs, adopt flexible and graduated contractual models, and build long-term partnerships that go beyond the concept of supply to include joint development and innovation.”

His Excellency also highlighted the importance of the Forum in supporting the SME Index in Government Procurement, which was launched by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance in June 2023. The Index measures the compliance of federal entities with the percentages stipulated under Federal Law No. (2) Of 2014 on Small and Medium Enterprises. These include allocating 10 per cent of the total value of government contracts and tenders to members of the National Programme for SMEs, as well as five per cent of the total value of contracts and tenders of public-owned companies in which the federal government holds 25 per cent or more of its capital.

His Excellency also reviewed developments in the entrepreneurship and SME ecosystem in the UAE, including the launch of the national campaign “Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World,” and the injection of AED 8.7 billion in investments to enhance innovation and SME growth under the “Projects of the 50.” Additionally, the UAE ranked first globally for the fourth consecutive year in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report 2024/2025.

9,000 members in the National Programme for SMEs

His Excellency said: “The Ministry of Economy and Tourism's National Programme for SMEs continues to enhance the participation of national SMEs in government tenders. The Programme has successfully provided more than 25 services and incentives to enterprises established by Emirati entrepreneurs, through its partners across the public and private sectors. It has attracted more than 9,000 members, and we plan to increase this number further by introducing new services and incentives.”

H.E. further emphasised that, under the Programme, the fees for obtaining the National In-Country Value (ICV) Certificate for registered companies have been reduced to AED 500. Additionally, operational burdens on SMEs have been eased by providing discounts of up to 90 per cent on labour fees. H.E. also invited entrepreneurs participating in the Forum to join the National Programme for SMEs and benefit from the incentives it offers.

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism, in collaboration with the Government Development and the Future Office, has also launched the “Future50” initiative, featuring 50 promising Emirati startups. The initiative aims to support high-potential national companies, enhance the readiness of the national economy for future sectors, and link innovation with entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth.

Incentive-driven fiscal policies

For her part, Her Excellency Mariam Mohamed Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary for the Government Financial Management Sector at the Ministry of Finance, said the National Forum for SMEs - Government Procurement 2026 provided a significant platform to strengthen coordination between government entities and national businesses, and to expand the engagement of SMEs in the government procurement ecosystem.

She noted that the Ministry’s participation aimed to highlight its role in developing financial policies and government procurement systems that not only enhance spending efficiency, and promote transparency, but also broaden the pool of qualified suppliers.

Al Amiri emphasised that small and medium enterprises play a fundamental role in supporting the national economy and driving growth, job creation, and innovation. She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting this vital sector through stimulating financial policies and procurement frameworks that offer fair and sustainable opportunities for entrepreneurs.

She added: “In cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and other relevant stakeholders, we seek to help entrepreneurs better understand government procurement requirements and to simplify related financial procedures. This opens wider opportunities for national businesses to compete for government contracts, supports their growth and long-term sustainability, and contributes positively to the national economy while strengthening its competitiveness over the long term.” Empowering SMEs within the government procurement ecosystem.”

Empowering SMEs within the government procurement ecosystem

The second edition of the National Forum for SMEs explored key concepts and potential models aimed at enabling national enterprises to integrate more effectively into the government procurement ecosystem. This was achieved through the presentation of initial perspectives on proposed frameworks, including government procurement empowerment accelerators for SMEs, as well as incentive tools designed to enhance Emirati entrepreneurs’ access to government tenders and contracts. These discussions reflect a strategic direction towards positioning government as an incubator of entrepreneurship, yet these proposals are not representing any existing programs or initiatives.

Digital integration with local entities

The Forum also witnessed the announcement of a new initiative by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, the ‘Riyada Card,’ which has been designed with competitive features to enhance Emirati SMEs’ access to government procurement tenders and contracts. Furthermore, the Ministry is currently working on developing a digital integration and membership system between the National Programme for SMEs and local entities, supporting the national digital transformation objectives and enabling more efficient and effective management of company data.

Seven panel discussions

The Forum featured seven panel discussions with the participation of several officials from federal and local entities, Emirati entrepreneurs, and private-sector representatives. Participants included H.E. Abdulla Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism; H.E. Badria Al Maidoor, Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services Sector at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism; H.E. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Muaini, Assistant Undersecretary for the Intellectual Property Sector at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism; H.E. Brigadier Abdullah Suhail Al Afari, Director of the Purchases and Stores Department at the Ministry of Interior; H.E. Salama Alawadhi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Industrial Growth Sector at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology; H.E. Amal Abdulrahim, Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment; Dr. Mubarak Al Hammadi, Director of the Procurement and Contracts Department at Emirates Health Services;
Shaker Fareed Zainal, Chief Business Officer at Emirates Development Bank; Alia Majid Al Shamsi, representative of the Ministry of Finance; and Shaikha Abdulla AlNuaimi, institutional development expert and entrepreneur.

Developments in the UAE Government Procurement ecosystem

 The sessions explored developments in the UAE’s government procurement ecosystem, its growth mechanisms, and the importance of leveraging data and artificial intelligence (AI) in this field. The discussions also covered the challenges and difficulties faced by Emirati SMEs in accessing government tenders and bids, means to overcome these challenges, and the tools adopted to improve their chances of securing such tenders.

Mechanisms for transforming government contracts into strategic partnerships

The sessions further explored mechanisms for transitioning from traditional government contract models to strategic partnerships that generate added value for government entities, while focusing on supporting SMEs within government procurement processes. Modern approaches to designing government bids were reviewed, enabling innovation and encouraging creative solutions beyond prices. This helps achieve sustainable outcomes and maximising the impact of public spending.

Four presentations

Building on the themes and discussions covered by the sessions, the Forum also featured four presentations showcasing institutional initiatives and experiences in supporting SMEs and local content. These included the first presentation titled 'SME Empowerment Initiatives', delivered by H.E. Abdulaziz Al Nuaimi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Entrepreneurship and Economic Affairs Regulatory Sector at the Ministry of Economy and Tourism; the second presentation titled 'Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology Segment - Local Content', delivered by Mohammed Ali Al Falasi, Director of the National Content Program Department (ICV) at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT); the third presentation titled 'An Inspiring Empowerment Journey from Etisalat by e&', delivered by Khalil Sulaiman Al Balushi, Executive Director of Supplier Relations at Etisalat Group; and the fourth presentation titled 'An Inspiring Empowerment Journey from Etihad Airways', delivered by Sultan Almheiri, Director of Local Content at Etihad Airway Group.