The recent update to the Dubai SME guarantee scheme also allows businesses eligible for financing to get a three-months payment holiday. Bloomberg Dubai's economy is projected to expand 3.2 per cent in 2020 on the back of a series of economic stimulus measures that have boosted tourism, financial services and real estate, among other sectors. Bloomberg
The recent update to the Dubai SME guarantee scheme also allows businesses eligible for financing to get a three-months payment holiday. Bloomberg Dubai's economy is projected to expand 3.2 per cent in 2020 on the back of a series of economic stimulus measures that have boosted tourism, financial services and real estate, among other sectors. Bloomberg
The recent update to the Dubai SME guarantee scheme also allows businesses eligible for financing to get a three-months payment holiday. Bloomberg Dubai's economy is projected to expand 3.2 per cent in 2020 on the back of a series of economic stimulus measures that have boosted tourism, financial services and real estate, among other sectors. Bloomberg
The recent update to the Dubai SME guarantee scheme also allows businesses eligible for financing to get a three-months payment holiday. Bloomberg Dubai's economy is projected to expand 3.2 per cent i

Dubai SME allocates Dh20m to a scheme guaranteeing loans for Emirati-owned small businesses


Mary Sophia
  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai SME, a part of Dubai Economy, allocated Dh20 million to a capital guarantee scheme backing peer-to-peer loans made to small and medium businesses.

The guarantee scheme was first launched by Dubai SME's financial arm, The Mohammed Bin Rashid Fund, and lending platform Beehive to facilitate funding of up to Dh780,000 for businesses that are fully owned by Emiratis.

With the new injection, the scheme has been extended to allow Dubai-based SMEs that are 50 per cent owned and managed by Emiratis to seek funding up to Dh420,000, which will be backed by a 50 per cent capital guarantee.

"The strengths and diversity of SMEs are strategic assets for Dubai in ensuring that business activity remains uninterrupted and new opportunities are created continuously," said Sami Al Qamzi, director-general of Dubai Economy.

"The agreement between Mohammed Bin Rashid Fund for SMEs and Beehive extends the benefits of their partnership to a wider SME community and will thereby strengthen the position of Dubai as a competitive hub for business and entrepreneurship, particularly during the present global economic challenges.”

The coronavirus pandemic has led to widespread movement restrictions globally and halted air travel demand, which have in turn weighed heavily on businesses. Governments have poured in close to $8 trillion (Dh29.3tn) in economic stimulus to ease the pressure on businesses and to stem job losses.

The update to the Dubai SME scheme also allows businesses eligible for financing to enjoy a three-months payment holiday at the beginning of their loan term, which will be followed by a 24-month payment schedule.

As per their initial agreement, Beehive undertakes a feasibility study of SME projects and facilitates loans through its digital platform. Dubai SME then guarantees the loans.

“We are delighted to extend this important partnership with Dubai SME and [add] services which will allow the benefits to be appreciated by more SMEs, especially those who need it at this challenging time,” Craig Moore, chief executive of Beehive, said.

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

List of officials:

Referees: Chris Broad, David Boon, Jeff Crowe, Andy Pycroft, Ranjan Madugalle and Richie Richardson.

Umpires: Aleem Dar, Kumara Dharmasena, Marais Erasmus, Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould, Richard Illingworth, Richard Kettleborough, Nigel Llong, Bruce Oxenford, Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Sundaram Ravi, Paul Reiffel, Rod Tucker, Michael Gough, Joel Wilson and Paul Wilson.

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

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How green is the expo nursery?

Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery

An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo

Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery

Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape

The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides

All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality

Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country

Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow

Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site

Green waste is recycled as compost

Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs

Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers

About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer

Main themes of expo is  ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.

Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

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Profile of Tamatem

Date started: March 2013

Founder: Hussam Hammo

Based: Amman, Jordan

Employees: 55

Funding: $6m

Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
  • Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
  • Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
  • Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
  • For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
  • Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
  • Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
  • Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
  • Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
  • Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.

Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz

Squid Game season two

Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk 

Stars:  Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun

Rating: 4.5/5

Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.