Dubai SME and Al Tamimi & Company join hands to support creativity and start-ups

11 December 2016

Dubai: Dubai SME, the agency of the Department of Economic Development mandated to develop the Emirate’s small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, and Al Tamimi & Company, the largest law firm in the Middle East which specialises in patents and innovations, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support entrepreneurial innovations and patents. The MoU reflects both parties’ commitment to achieving the UAE’s vision to enable the SME sector to make a positive impact economically, socially and culturally. Saeed Matar Al Marri, Deputy CEO, signed the MoU on behalf of Dubai SME while Ahmad Saleh, Regional Director in charge of Patents, Industrial Designs, R & D and innovation, and Omar Obeidat, Partner and Head of Intellectual Property Department, signed for Al Tamimi & Company, in the presence of senior officials from both companies. The agreement will allow aspiring entrepreneurs to implement prototypes of their projects under patent protection. The Hamdan Innovation Incubator (Hi2), an initiative launched by Dubai SME, will co-ordinate with Al Tamimi & Company to patent innovations of registered members and provide legal services to protect their intellectual property. Commenting on the partnership, Al Marri said Dubai SME is pleased to work together with Al Tamimi & Company to provide services that would encourage local innovations and inventions. “Dubai SME’s Hamdan Innovation Incubator is focussed on enabling UAE youth to invest their efforts and creativity in innovative ventures, thereby grooming a generation of successful entrepreneurs. This is the latest Dubai SME initiative designed to promote innovative start-ups and protect intellectual property.” Al Marri said. Al Marri added that the agreement supports the implementation of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to make the UAE the most innovative nation in the world and maintain its position as the most innovative Arab nation. Ahmad Saleh said Al Tamimi is proud to partner with Dubai SME and extend its specialist legal knowledge, know-how and technical expertise in the fields of innovation and intellectual property, including patent protection, to local entrepreneurs. “We are pleased to play our part in spreading a culture of innovation and fostering developments in innovation in the UAE through the participation in awareness activities in collaboration with the Hamdan Innovation Incubator.” Omar Obeidat added: “Al Tamimi & Company looks forward to working with entrepreneurs and SMEs in the UAE, to provide them with legal guidance and assistance for the development, protection and commercialisation of their innovations.” Hi2 was launched in September 2014 under the patronage of His Highness Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, to support and promote innovations and excellence among entrepreneurial initiatives across all categories. Located in the Business Village in Dubai, Hi2 also represents the largest concentration of SMEs in Dubai.-Ends–

About Dubai SME:

Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED), Government of Dubai, aims to foster an entrepreneurial culture and develop a competitive SME sector for the Emirate of Dubai. The key strategies adopted by Dubai SME are: advocate a pro-business environment for developing entrepreneurship and SMEs, seed innovative start-ups and groom promising SMEs. Dubai SME’s vision is to make Dubai the centre for innovative SMEs to start, grow and expand their businesses, thus adding greater value to the economy of Dubai. 

For further information, please contact:

Advertisement

Faisal Shamsudheen                                                                                                     

Government Communication Division                        

Department of Economic Development                                   

Tel: (971 4) 455 5927                                                  

Email: [email protected]  

About Al Tamimi & Company:

Al Tamimi & Company is one of the premier law firms in the Middle East and the largest law firm in the region, with presence in all of the six GCC countries. Established in 1989, the firm has 57 partners, staff of over 600, and 17 offices in nine countries throughout the UAE in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and in Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman and Egypt.

The firm specialises in advising major international corporations and financial institutions, Middle East banks and financial institutions, government organisations, businesses and families in their global operations and investments. It has particular expertise in arbitration & ADR, banking & finance, dispute resolution & litigation, IP & data security, shipping & aviation, project & infrastructure finance, real estate & construction, corporate & commercial, technology, media & telecommunications, insurance and private client.

For further information please visit: www.tamimi.com

© Press Release 2016