His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, announced on Twitter that Amazon, the largest e-commerce company in the world, plans to feature 100,000 businesses, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), on its UAE website by 2026.
This move aligns with the Dubai 33 (D33) initiative, which seeks to make Dubai a digital economy leader, a top-three global city, and a preferred destination for global companies and investments. D33 has set a goal of doubling Dubai’s economy by 2033, reaching AED 32T ($8.7T), and promoting sustainability and economic diversification.
Ronaldo Mouchawar, vice president at Amazon Mena, stated that the company would continue to support local businesses and SMEs by providing them access to Amazon.ae customers, as well as its technology and logistics solutions with Fulfillment by Amazon, and the global registration program on Amazon.ae.
As part of the 10-year D33 strategy, plans are underway to assist 30 private companies in achieving unicorn status, which refers to start-ups that are valued at over $1B.
Additional business incubators are expected to support the growth of private companies, with 400 of the most promising firms selected for assistance. In recent years, Amazon has been actively investing in the UAE, with the construction of the Middle East’s most technologically advanced warehouse in Abu Dhabi and the opening of a significant warehouse in the emirate in June 2022.
In line with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, Amazon aims to increase the number of SMEs that sell on Amazon.ae from 50,000 to 100,000 by 2026, according to Mr. Mouchawar.
