DUBAI, UAE - Dubai has launched a new pilot program in partnership with Google to help Emirati-owned small and medium-sized businesses compete more effectively online. The initiative, announced by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Dubai SME), will provide selected firms with advanced digital marketing resources and expert mentorship.

A unique feature of the program is its co-funding model, where the costs for each business are split equally between Dubai SME, Google, and the business itself. This approach is designed to ensure commitment and build long-term capabilities. The first phase will support 10 high-potential Emirati businesses with advertising credits, strategic guidance, and access to Google's AI-powered marketing platforms.

"This collaboration exemplifies how strategic partnership between government and the private sector can transform challenges into opportunities," Ahmad Al Room Almheiri, Acting CEO of Dubai SME said Thursday. He emphasized that building digital capability is key to helping local businesses scale and compete globally.

Martin Roeske, Google's Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for the MENA region, noted, "Technology is the great equalizer. It allows a traditional family business to reach the same global customers as a high-tech unicorn."

The pilot, seen as a proof of concept, will begin later this year. If successful, the program will be expanded to benefit a much larger number of Dubai-based SMEs. The effort supports the broader goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to solidify the emirate's position as a leading global hub for business and innovation.