Starting a business in Dubai just got easier

Senior etisalat executives inaugurate the Hello Business Hub in Dubai on Monday.

Setting up a business in the UAE has been made easier for entrepreneurs with a new "under-one-roof" initiative launched on Monday by telecom operator etisalat.

The initiative - Hello Business Hub - the first of its kind in the Middle East, offers easy access to all official procedures and services needed to kickstart business operations under a single roof.

The creation of the showpiece hub at One JLT, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, is aimed at assisting small and medium businesses (SMBs) to give them the flexibility and ease the process of setting up a business to expedite their operations in the UAE, as well as services tailored for SMBs beyond telecommunication services, etisalat officials said on Monday.

The single-roof facilitation hub caters to the needs of SMBs by offering comprehensive integrated propositions, ranging from company setup to company registration, banking to insurance, office leasing to furniture, combined with the latest telecom products and services from etisalat and more.

Esam Mahmoud, acting senior vice-president, Small and Medium Business, etisalat, said SMBs are important contributors to the UAE's economy today and are set for further growth with the digital evolution.

"At etisalat, we work closely with SMBs and startups by enabling them with the right tools and services to drive into this digital future. The launch of etisalat's Hello Business Hub today reaffirms our strong commitment towards this goal of supporting this strategic community who are the key drivers of growth and development," said Mahmoud.

The business hub offers latest telecommunication solutions tailored for SMBs and an extended platform offered by its strategic business partners that include the host Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) as well as Virtuzone,  Oman Insurance, RAKBank, Sharaf DG, Amer for Government services, Skylines Tax Consultancy, CBRE, Advanced Business Concept, The Ambassador, Leader Consulting, in addition to etisalat solutions and digital marketing services for SMBs.

Industry reports estimate more than 100,000 new businesses will set up shop in the UAE over the next 3 years. Initiatives such as the Expo 2020 in Dubai will further drive substantial development of the country's SMB segment.

Etisalat officials said the telecom firm aims to capture the majority of new start-ups in the UAE and forge long-term relationships with new customers coming on board.

"Whether one is starting a new business or expanding operations in the UAE, etisalat's Hello Business Hub is committed to providing owners with tailored advanced solutions that increase their productivity and profitability. At etisalat, we are always striving to add value through innovation, driven by our service mantra for small and medium businesses which is 'Your Business Grows with Us'," they said during a media tour of the facility.

Etisalat currently serves more than 300,000 SMB customers in the country, working closely with them in their digital transformation journey.

- issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com

Issac John

issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com