Fleming Gulf announces the dates of yet another edition of celebration of entrepreneurship development in the Middle East through the 5th Annual Middle East SME Forum, on 21 – 22 October 2014, Abu Dhabi – UAE.

After 4 successful Middle East SME Forums, Fleming Gulf is back with its 5th edition of the Middle East SME Forum. Apart from presentations and sessions to showcase government initiatives, success stories from SME owners and motivating opportunities for entrepreneurship development, this year's programme will also feature global practices of SME development and brainstorm, how Middle East can benefit, learn and incorporate tested strategies from them.

Supported by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, this forum will look into the future to help the SME sector achieve strategic goals. Governments, associations and various large private companies have set up various centers, programmes and funds aiming to facilitate SME development. Education programmes focusing on inculcating entrepreneurship goals in young minds is the first step to create awareness and knowledge about SME enhancement.

As many have already addressed the challenges, opportunities and development strategies in this sector, this year the forum will focus on having a look at how other regions are responding to SME development. Global practices with reference to Government policies to boost entrepreneurship will be analyzed, strategies will be brainstormed, opportunities and limitations will be evaluated and through tested learning Middle East will gain new insight for incorporating SME initiatives.

AmCham - Abu Dhabi, the member of the global network of American Chambers of Commerce, The German Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Commerce (AHK), The British Chamber for Business and the French Business Group (FBG) - the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Abu Dhabi, are all supporting Associations for this forum.

National Bank of Abu Dhabi ( NBAD) is the Lead Strategic Partner for this forum. A business start up needs financial support and guidance from its very initial inception days till it matures and starts flourishing independently. Financing SME projects is the most important aspect in SME development. Understanding this vital reason, the region has enhanced many initiatives from banking and financial sector to help and boost SME development. NBAD's efforts in SME banking is unparallel and marks its initiative to boost the region's SME sector.

AMEinfo and SMEinfo are the Prime Media Partners of this forum, which will witness industry peers from Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development; Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), Mohammed Bin Rashid
Establishment for SME Development, Arab Entrepreneur House; The General Secretariat of the Executive Council of Dubai, Sharakah, Jashanmal Group, General Authority for Investments (GAFI) and many more.