• Knights & Lords owners Pawan Ishwar, left, Ashish Ishwar get about three to four new commissions in a day, resulting in around 45 new bespoke suits being made a month. Satish Kumar / The National
    Knights & Lords owners Pawan Ishwar, left, Ashish Ishwar get about three to four new commissions in a day, resulting in around 45 new bespoke suits being made a month. Satish Kumar / The National
  • Rashid Tabari, the founder of Intercare Health Center in Abu Dhabi, describes his centre’s approach as being ‘evidence-based’, as opposed to the ‘defensive medicine’ method he claims is commonly practised in the UAE . Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
    Rashid Tabari, the founder of Intercare Health Center in Abu Dhabi, describes his centre’s approach as being ‘evidence-based’, as opposed to the ‘defensive medicine’ method he claims is commonly practised in the UAE . Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
  • Khalid Basaeed left his full-time job a few years ago to focus on Feathers UAE, a luxury Emirati retail brand . Pawan Singh / The National
    Khalid Basaeed left his full-time job a few years ago to focus on Feathers UAE, a luxury Emirati retail brand . Pawan Singh / The National
  • For an Egyptian like Khaled Hamdy, owner of the Khaled Hamdy Audio Productions, using the UAE as a starting point for a career in film may not seem to be the natural move. Pawan Singh / The National
    For an Egyptian like Khaled Hamdy, owner of the Khaled Hamdy Audio Productions, using the UAE as a starting point for a career in film may not seem to be the natural move. Pawan Singh / The National
  • Julian Colclough at the Julian Hairdressing for Men shop he opened at Arenco Tower in Media City . Antonie Robertson / The National
    Julian Colclough at the Julian Hairdressing for Men shop he opened at Arenco Tower in Media City . Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Karalynn Thomson started the Animal Agency, an SME that arranges animals for photoshoots and films , last year. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Karalynn Thomson started the Animal Agency, an SME that arranges animals for photoshoots and films , last year. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Mohammed Al Dah and Matthew Esther, the UAE partners of Webb Yates & Esther, set up the Dubai structural-engineering firm last year . Reem Mohammed / The National
    Mohammed Al Dah and Matthew Esther, the UAE partners of Webb Yates & Esther, set up the Dubai structural-engineering firm last year . Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Mo Fadlallah, the founder of Babyarabia, plans to produce 500 Arabic videos for Babyarabia each year . Antonie Robertson / The National
    Mo Fadlallah, the founder of Babyarabia, plans to produce 500 Arabic videos for Babyarabia each year . Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Howard Leedham, left, partner, Ed Holland, right, the operations manager for UAE, and Simon Fordham, partner, form the senior management team of Consilium, the latest security outfit to seek a significant presence in the UAE . Ravindranath K / The National
    Howard Leedham, left, partner, Ed Holland, right, the operations manager for UAE, and Simon Fordham, partner, form the senior management team of Consilium, the latest security outfit to seek a significant presence in the UAE . Ravindranath K / The National
  • Elhame Bourani, founder of the The Bulb Fine Arts Center, has bigger ambitions for her project and envisages a centre that will branch out into science activities as well as arts and crafts . Ravindranath K / The National
    Elhame Bourani, founder of the The Bulb Fine Arts Center, has bigger ambitions for her project and envisages a centre that will branch out into science activities as well as arts and crafts . Ravindranath K / The National
  • Luma Al Mukhalalati, co-founder of Art Central at Boutik Mall , was drawn to painting as she grew up watching her father, Talal, an artist, produce beautiful work in his spare time. Christopher Pike / The National
    Luma Al Mukhalalati, co-founder of Art Central at Boutik Mall , was drawn to painting as she grew up watching her father, Talal, an artist, produce beautiful work in his spare time. Christopher Pike / The National
  • Marie-Christine Luijckx, the managing director of fresh fruit delivery service Fruitful Day , says individuals now comprise about half of their customer base. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Marie-Christine Luijckx, the managing director of fresh fruit delivery service Fruitful Day , says individuals now comprise about half of their customer base. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Khadija Alduwaik, right, and Najwa Allawi founded Amalkum on the premise that working life is changing for professional women with high aspirations . Mona Al Marzooqi / The National
    Khadija Alduwaik, right, and Najwa Allawi founded Amalkum on the premise that working life is changing for professional women with high aspirations . Mona Al Marzooqi / The National
  • Kripa Hadani of I Love Adventures in Dubai works with five global travel firms – including Exodus Travels, Grand American Adventures and Intrepid Travel – that offers adventure travel experiences in over 120 countries worldwide. Satish Kumar / The National
    Kripa Hadani of I Love Adventures in Dubai works with five global travel firms – including Exodus Travels, Grand American Adventures and Intrepid Travel – that offers adventure travel experiences in over 120 countries worldwide. Satish Kumar / The National
  • Wadih Haddad, the founder and CEO of self-storage company The Box , has set up BoxLabs as an incubator space to help other start-ups. Alex Atack for The National
    Wadih Haddad, the founder and CEO of self-storage company The Box , has set up BoxLabs as an incubator space to help other start-ups. Alex Atack for The National
  • Mickael Costache developed El Grocer, an online app that gets groceries delivered to your door . Satish Kumar / The National
    Mickael Costache developed El Grocer, an online app that gets groceries delivered to your door . Satish Kumar / The National
  • The Rafiq brothers Atif, left, and Kash have been investing in IT infrastructure in their family-owned firm Al Sharqi Shipping to digitise most activities and provide customers with real-time information over deliveries . Pawan Singh / The National
    The Rafiq brothers Atif, left, and Kash have been investing in IT infrastructure in their family-owned firm Al Sharqi Shipping to digitise most activities and provide customers with real-time information over deliveries . Pawan Singh / The National
  • Marcos Bish, the managing director of Summertown Interiors, which creates eco-friendly office interiors , describes himself as an entrepreneur through and through. Christopher Pike / The National
    Marcos Bish, the managing director of Summertown Interiors, which creates eco-friendly office interiors , describes himself as an entrepreneur through and through. Christopher Pike / The National
  • Joey Ghazal, the owner of Maine Oyster Bar & Grill in JBR , is casting around for ideas to open a second restaurant in the UAE, either in Dubai or elsewhere in the Emirates. Razan Alzayani for The National
    Joey Ghazal, the owner of Maine Oyster Bar & Grill in JBR , is casting around for ideas to open a second restaurant in the UAE, either in Dubai or elsewhere in the Emirates. Razan Alzayani for The National
  • Riham Mahafzah, the founder of Silk Road Images, a stock photography company , has forged a strong reputation in an often male-dominated field. Courtesy Silk Road Images
    Riham Mahafzah, the founder of Silk Road Images, a stock photography company , has forged a strong reputation in an often male-dominated field. Courtesy Silk Road Images
  • Khalid Sharaf, above, started Mob­ile Aid with his first cousin Essa Sharaf at the end of 2014 to serve what they both saw as a glaring need. Alex Atack for The National
    Khalid Sharaf, above, started Mob­ile Aid with his first cousin Essa Sharaf at the end of 2014 to serve what they both saw as a glaring need. Alex Atack for The National
  • Noticing the wide popularity of WhatsApp, the Emirati Tarek Al Zubair wanted to create something just as innovative, but more local. The result was Synergistics, which has come up with gas station locators and prayer times . Victor Besa for The National
    Noticing the wide popularity of WhatsApp, the Emirati Tarek Al Zubair wanted to create something just as innovative, but more local. The result was Synergistics, which has come up with gas station locators and prayer times . Victor Besa for The National
  • Stuart Every’s Dubai-based small business Dolphin Creative , which he says has 800 professional street performers from across the globe on its book. Courtesy Stuart Every
    Stuart Every’s Dubai-based small business Dolphin Creative , which he says has 800 professional street performers from across the globe on its book. Courtesy Stuart Every
  • Sahar Wehbeh came up with the idea of starting her own doll-making business, Dumye , which was launched in July 2013. Alex Atack for The National
    Sahar Wehbeh came up with the idea of starting her own doll-making business, Dumye , which was launched in July 2013. Alex Atack for The National
  • Don Anderson, founder of Future Earth Dubai , says ‘we only have one environment and the cheaper, cleaner options available now for energy production mean we don’t have to ruin the planet’. Satish Kumar / The National
    Don Anderson, founder of Future Earth Dubai , says ‘we only have one environment and the cheaper, cleaner options available now for energy production mean we don’t have to ruin the planet’. Satish Kumar / The National
  • Tarig El Sheikh, left, co-founded Beneple, an online platform that enables SMEs to manage all their HR needs , and was acquired in August by Finsbury Associates headed by Danielle Suchley. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Tarig El Sheikh, left, co-founded Beneple, an online platform that enables SMEs to manage all their HR needs , and was acquired in August by Finsbury Associates headed by Danielle Suchley. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • John Martin St Valery, the founding Partner of Links Group , is cool on further expansion around the Middle East. Ravindranath K / The National
    John Martin St Valery, the founding Partner of Links Group , is cool on further expansion around the Middle East. Ravindranath K / The National
  • Nazek Al Sabbagh’s passion for preserving Emirati traditions was translated in 2010 into a boutique shop on Jumeirah Beach Road called Malleh Gourmet , which she set up with her sister Zohra. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Nazek Al Sabbagh’s passion for preserving Emirati traditions was translated in 2010 into a boutique shop on Jumeirah Beach Road called Malleh Gourmet , which she set up with her sister Zohra. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Known as Dr NJ in her Dubai practice, medical practitioner Njideka Nto from the UK has an interesting – some might say fascinating – headgear sideline . Satish Kumar / The National
    Known as Dr NJ in her Dubai practice, medical practitioner Njideka Nto from the UK has an interesting – some might say fascinating – headgear sideline . Satish Kumar / The National
  • Mohammed Al Shaker, the founder of ArabiaWeather , the region’s largest forecaster, speaks with the enthusiasm of a lifetime of studying meteorology, explaining that the image of a hot climate obscures the variety of variations. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Mohammed Al Shaker, the founder of ArabiaWeather , the region’s largest forecaster, speaks with the enthusiasm of a lifetime of studying meteorology, explaining that the image of a hot climate obscures the variety of variations. Antonie Robertson / The National

Business

Year in review: SMEs were the engines of the UAE economy in 2016

Liz Claus

December 26, 2016

  • English
  • Arabic

Before you’re big you have to be small: recognition of the importance of SMEs is rising. Banks say they are trying to do more to help, and the bankruptcy law decreed in October reduces their risks from doing business. Here we revisit some of the entrepreneurs profiled in our pages this year.

business@thenational.ae

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