Dubai programme to help Emiratis set up small businesses

Dubai - Kaseb will help low-income Emiratis set up business.

Financially-challenged UAE citizens have just been given a promising lifeline which could see them set up their own small businesses in the country.
The 'Kaseb' initiative, launched by the Dubai Municipality (DM) and Community Development Authority (CDA), will provide Emiratis with investment opportunities in small projects, without the need for government funding.
Beneficiaries of the programme will be taught a set of skills that will help them raise their standard of living and self-sufficiency in the UAE. The CDA and DM are in talks with several government departments in Dubai to work in partnership on this project. However, one of the main features of 'Kaseb' is turning empty or unused land plots into parking lots.
Provided by the Dubai Municipality as per agreed-upon standards, the beneficiaries will be urged to manage the parking lots which in turn will address the lack of parking spaces in Dubai.
The resulting profits will be used for the community programme's continuity, which at present has no end-date.
The Return of Investment (ROI) reflecting the number of parking lots leased under the programme will be reported to the Dubai Municipality, and appropriate support will be given to further reduce parking lot shortages in some places in Dubai.
Speaking to Khaleej Times on Wednesday, CDA Director-General, Khaled Al Kamda said as yet, the location of the parking lots are unknown.
In reference to the number of people thought to benefit from the programme, Al Kamda said CDA currently has about "400 registered financial beneficiaries" on its list, but he affirmed this programme is "open to all low-income UAE citizens who are able to work".
Other focus areas of Kaseb will include developing the skills of Dubai's citizens to take advantage of opportunities offered by the Dubai market, and maximising the potentials of Dubai citizens to establish profitable and sustainable businesses.
For Emirati social media executive, Almazoun Alhemeiri, the initiative sounds promising.
"His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is always telling his people 'don't just settle for the 9 to 5, get experience and look to open your own business'. His words around entrepreneurship inspire everyone and I think this initiative really grasps that message well."
And for student Omar Al Blooshi, he said it is encouraging to see low-income citizens being given such opportunities. "I think this initiative is clever because it is addressing two issues. It is giving future hope to people who are not so well-off and also giving a solution to the issue of limited parking lots in the city."
Both Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director-General of Dubai Municipality and Al Kamda signed the agreement on the sidelines of Careers UAE at the World Trade Centre on Wednesday.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com

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