Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) declared that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and other companies based within the area formed 56 per cent of AFZs total purchases during the first quarter of this year. The above figure is divided to 25 per cent from the companies licensed in the zone and 31 per cent from the SMEs. These indicators reflect AFZ's responsibility to provide all means to assure the growth and expansion of its companies, attract more investments, and promote the diversity and resilience of the national economy.

These indicators follow a significant growth compared to the percentage recorded during the same period of 2020, wherein purchases from SMEs amounted to 11 per cent and from companies located within AFZ reached 21 per cent.

AFZ admits that supporting SMEs is of great significant as they covers the largest part of the companies doing business in the UAE. In addition, this sector is considered a crucial contributor to the country's GDP and a vital resource for the national economy. Securing a percentage of the purchases from the local business community is an effective means to support national production, especially at the level of companies based in AFZ and Ajman as a whole.

This contribution comes within the framework of our continuous commitment in supporting free zone companies and the business community within Ajman. This is in line with the governments strategy to support national entrepreneurship and increase the momentum of SMEs, as they are the largest source of job opportunities in the private sector. These efforts contribute to enhancing the movement of supply and demand, as well as increasing the attractiveness and competitiveness of the local business environment. Moreover, this will boost the confidence of investors and foreign companies. said H.E. Engineer Ali AlSuwaidi, Director General of Ajman Free Zone.

AlSuwaidi added: We will continue to provide all the facilities and economic accelerators as part of our efforts to empower national businesses and SMEs, all which exceeded 5000 within AFZ. We will work on expanding the scope of the subsidized procurement policy to include more companies in this sector. We are positive that this will facilitate the launch of their business, increase their ability to grow and expand, and enhance their contribution as a fundamental pillar for building a more diversified and resilient economy. This will drive our transformation toward the future economy based on innovation and knowledge.

The subsidized procurement strategy falls within AFZs vision to rise the momentum of business, trade, and investment activities in the emirate. The vision also focuses on advancing further economic growth by supporting the local business community. This it will achieve by providing a wide range of facilities and incentives, an attractive business environment for companies, and investment flows from different parts of the region and the world.