Amazon is set to spotlight 100,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in its UAE store by 2026. The retail e-commerce giant is on its path to doubling its retailers, as it currently displays 50,000 local and international retailers on Amazon.ae. It also aims to offer UAE companies training and qualification opportunities to elevate their operations and launch applications on digital platforms. 

The move was met with enthusiasm by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council.  He said these developments support the UAE’s digital economy strategy, which seeks to leverage technology to enhance social well-being.

“Dubai has positioned itself as a thriving center for the digital economy,” Sheikh Hamdan said on Twitter. “I welcome Amazon’s plans to showcase 100,000 businesses, including local SMEs, on Amazon.ae by 2026.” 

Sheikh Hamdan noted that the initiative would offer Emirati companies a global platform, aligning with D33’s aspirations and enabling further progress toward our shared goals.  

Unveiled in January this year, the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy over the next ten years and transform Dubai into one of the world’s top three global cities. The strategy includes 100 transformative projects, adding 400 cities as key trading partners, launching a plan for green and sustainable manufacturing, supporting 30 companies to become global startup unicorns, integrating 65,000 Emiratis into the job market, and more.

Dubai has emerged as a prominent hub for digital talent and enterprise and empowered digital economy innovators and entrepreneurs to build a new future for the nation’s technology sector, said Sheikh Hamdan.

The announcement offers local entrepreneurs a wider reach to global markets as new businesses registered on Amazon.ae are registered in Amazon stores globally. According to the release, this will allow UAE companies to reach 300 million customers in 19 markets, including the US, UK, India, Japan, and Singapore. Companies can use the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service to outsource fulfillment to Amazon.