SMEs sector contributes 53% to UAE’s non-oil GDP

The UAE SMEs sector contribute to more than 53 per cent of the UAE’s non-oil GDP, and this percentage is expected to rise to 60 per cent by the end of 2021, and to higher levels in the coming years, said Younis Haji Al Khoori, Under-Secretary of MoF during the sixth Arab Finance Deputies Meeting.

The UAE hosted the meeting, organised by the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) in cooperation with the UAE Ministry of Finance (MoF), virtually on 20th and 21st January.

Al Khoori said that appointing a Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and SMEs reaffirms the UAE Government’s support for this vital sector, and showcases the government’s keenness to elevate the entrepreneurship sector while providing all means of support to enhance SMEs’ growth.

He highlighted that entrepreneurship and the SME sector was a top priority on the agenda of the UAE Government and various Emirati local governments during 2020. All local government entities launched several initiatives and stimulus packages to mitigate the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, and upgraded the economy’s legislative and organisational system.

Younis Haji Al Khoori, headed the UAE delegation which included Abdullah Ahmed Al Obaidly, Director of Relations and International Financial organisations, as well as specialists from the MoF.

Dr Abdulrahman Bin Abdullah Al Hamidy, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), as well as Arab Finance Deputies, participated in the meeting. Representatives and experts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank Group, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), along with Arab economic experts also attended the meeting.

The first day deliberated two working papers by the AMF titled “Tax Treatment of Digital Services in Arab Countries” and “Tax Policy Options to Support SMEs,” and a working paper by the IMF titled “Economic Governance Reforms to Support Inclusive Growth in Arab Countries”.

Furthermore, the World Bank Group presented a working paper on the “Requirements for the Transition to Digital Economy to Enhance Efficiency and Governance in Countries.”

Al Khoori thanked the AMF for presenting a working paper on tax treatment for digital services in an objective and transparent manner. He emphasised the importance of the recommendations and future reforms included in the working paper, as the need to impose taxes on the digital economy has currently become a necessity for Arab countries. He noted that if taxes are not imposed, whether direct or indirect, Arab countries may lose outstanding tax revenues that could contribute to strengthening public finances.

He said, “Each Arab country is facing several challenges of their own in accelerating digital transformation, foremost of which is the provision of rapid telecommunications infrastructure, and the lack of necessary legislation to deal with this new type of economy.”

The second day deliberated “Governance of Investments and Public Projects” and “Reforming the Wage and Pension System” in Arab countries, through presentations by various Arab Finance Deputies. Also discussed was the OECD’s presentation on “Trends of International Tax Systems”, in addition to an open discussion between Arab Finance Deputies on “The Repercussions of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Fiscal Policy and the Post-pandemic Options Available in Arab countries.”

During his interventions on the second day, Al Khoori stated that the UAE has adopted a highly transparent governance system along with accurate frameworks to face risks, in order to ensure performance quality and excellence. The governance framework includes a board of directors; subsidiary committees and assigns roles and responsibilities to the council.

Al Khoori said, “Backed by the national strategy to prepare the country for the coming 50 years, the UAE is proceeding with a forward-looking vision and a consolidated culture of excellence, to elevate its position on global competitiveness indices. For more than ten years, the country has devised a roadmap with clear objectives, to be among the best 10 competitive economies in the world by 2021. Since then, the UAE has attained outstanding achievements, despite the challenges witnessed by the world as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.”

On reforming the wage and pension system, he said, “As part of the UAE government’s endeavour to provide high-quality and distinguished services to mark the UAE as one of the best countries in the world, government human resources management became a major drive for building technical and administrative talent in accordance with the best international standards.”