The Business Village, a project of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises (MBRE), one of the agencies of the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED), organised a networking and learning session for new and aspiring entrepreneurs on the 7th of November 2010.
First in a series of such events planned as part of the entrepreneurship training and knowledge sharing programmes of MBRE, the session was intended to introduce the state-of-the-art facilities and exceptional environment offered by the Business Village for business start-up and development to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“The Business Village provides a strong networking and operations platform for SMEs and elevates the business environment in Dubai to the next level of growth. Being an integrated economic hive, the Business Village simplifies processes and improves lead times for entrepreneurs so that they can focus on growing their business,†Abdul Baset Janahi, CEO, MBRE, said.
“A key advantage of the Business Village is its excellent infrastructure, location and unique business environment that help SMEs to interact and build strategic partnerships. We are committed to creating more such avenues for the benefit of the business community in Dubai,†added Al Janahi.
Over 100 entrepreneurs, business representatives and MBRE members attended the inaugural event, which focused on effective and proven strategies for business growth.
The session was led by eminent speakers known for their successful entrepreneurial ventures and strategies, including Phil Bedford, Master Franchisor and Managing Director at Referral Institute Middle East and Regional Director at BNI Middle East; Carol Talbot, Neuro-linguistic Programming Trainer; Ernesto Verdugo, author, entrepreneur and Internet coach; and James Reynolds, entrepreneur, Internet marketer and Co-creator of Web Reactivators.
The speakers shared their insights on a range of topics including power of networking; power of word of mouth; ways to improve focus and personal power; practical strategies to monetize websites, and internet marketing strategies for small businesses.
Ideally located next to the Clock Tower in Deira, the Business Village is a fast emerging business hub in Dubai, with a range of services and facilities to enable cost-effective and successful start-up as well as operations and networking among entrepreneurs. The new facility also offers an accessible option for SMEs and businessmen to host seminars, presentations, training programmes, product launches and exhibitions.
A growing number of SMEs in general trading, travel, engineering consultancy, real estate, legal consultancy, banking and finance as well as cafes, mini markets and food and beverage outlets are already operating in the Business Village.
Global and government agencies such as the German Business Council, UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, Department of Economic Development in Dubai, Foreign Investment Office, Export Development Corporation, Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment, in addition to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development, are also based out of the Business Village.
