---

Strategic partnership is aligned with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to increase economic productivity by 50% through innovation and digital adoption. Signed at GITEX Global, the agreement will further facilitate access to finance and payment solutions for SMEs and fintech companies.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has signed a strategic agreement with Network International, a leading enabler of digital commerce in the Middle East and Africa, to enhance Dubai’s digital economy and support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and fintech companies in the emirate.

Signed at GITEX Global 2024, the partnership will boost the digital payment infrastructure in Dubai and facilitate business access to finance and payment solutions, and is aligned with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033 and to increase economic productivity by 50% through innovation and digital adoption. The agreement will also support the key D33 objectives to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure, and to make Dubai the fastest growing and most attractive global business hub for multinational corporations (MNCs), SMEs and Emirati entrepreneurs.

In the presence of H.E. Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of DET, and Nandan Mer, Group CEO of Network International, the memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), the economic development arm of DET, and Jamal Al Nassai, Group Managing Director for Merchant Services – Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at Network International.

Collaboration to Empower SMEs

With SMEs and fintech firms widely recognised as driving forces behind Dubai’s continued economic growth, both DET and Network International will pool their expertise and resources to launch initiatives designed to boost SME access to capital and cutting-edge financial technologies. This will include tailored loan programmes or grants, designed in collaboration with financial institutions, to support business expansion and innovation. They will also collaborate to provide digital payment solutions and offerings for micro- and start-up businesses at preferential rates. Advanced digital payment systems and e-commerce platforms will also be developed to empower Dubai-based SMEs to expand their market reach, both domestically and internationally, and increase their competitiveness and potential for growth. These programmed will be further supported by preferential payment solutions designed to ease the financial burden on emerging businesses.

DET and Network International will also collaborate to create a fintech start-up ecosystem, providing the necessary support, including market and customer access, mentorship and the facilitation of seed and growth capital through a public-private partnership model. Additionally, DET and Network International will explore the development of a fintech solution for micro-lending that leverages data from POS transactions and banking information, aiming to streamline customer onboarding and enhance credit risk assessment for SMEs.

Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), remarked: “This partnership with Network International exemplifies our dedication to equipping SMEs with essential resources for growth, thereby contributing significantly to the ambitious objectives outlined in the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. By facilitating access to finance and payment solutions, we are not only empowering SMEs but also ensuring that Dubai remains at the forefront of digital innovation. Under the visionary guidance of our city’s leadership, this collaboration underscores our commitment to fostering a business environment rooted in innovation, sustainability, and global scalability. In an increasingly digitalized global marketplace, SMEs can trust that Dubai provides the comprehensive, cutting-edge solutions necessary for success.”

Jamal Al Nassai, Group Managing Director for Merchant Services – Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at Network International, said, “SMEs are the backbone of the UAE economy, driving innovation and growth across all sectors. Through our strategic partnership with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, we are proud to support the government’s vision of empowering SMEs by providing our cutting-edge payment solutions and value-added services including swift access to capital at competitive rates, enabling them to thrive in today’s dynamic market. By leveraging our expertise in digital payments innovation, we aim to create an ecosystem that not only facilitates easier access to financial resources but also enhances the overall business environment for SMEs. This collaboration underscores our commitment to fostering economic growth, supporting the D33 Agenda and reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.”

To stimulate innovation and attract talent to emerging industry sectors, DET and Network International will work in conjunction with government bodies to simplify the regulatory procedures for   SMEs. This will encompass providing support and counsel for adherence to both local and global trade regulations, thereby ensuring that SMEs can operate with efficiency and effectiveness. The partnership will also involve integrating backend systems, including the Dubai Unified License platform, to create a comprehensive data repository. This will facilitate the analysis of sales patterns and spending trends, providing invaluable insights for SMEs.

The MoU is a pivotal step in accelerating the digitalization of Dubai’s economy, bringing enhanced efficiencies and opportunities to the vital SME sector. Through this partnership, DET and Network International aim to further empower SMEs by providing access to advanced digital tools and payment solutions that streamline operations, reduce costs, and create new pathways for growth. By enabling more efficient, data-driven business practices, this collaboration will ensure that Dubai’s SMEs continue to thrive as a key contributor to the city’s economic progress and global competitiveness.

Source: Zawya

---

By virtue of its unique natural landscapes, cultural charm, and diverse tourism experiences, Africa has become a hot tourist destination for Chinese tourists. In recent years, there has been a continuous increase in the number of Chinese tourists visiting the continent.

Surging bookings for African trips

Data from Chinese online travel service platform Ctrip show that from February to August this year, the number of Chinese tourists traveling to Africa has increased by about 1.2 times compared to the same period last year.

Statistics from Fliggy, another major online travel service platform in China, indicate that the booking volume for flights to Africa this year has nearly doubled compared to the same period last year, with flights to Egypt and Kenya experiencing the fastest growth rates of 236 percent and 167 percent, respectively.

An executive from Chinese online travel agency LY.com said that the average number of tourists traveling to Egypt per month between January and August this year increased by 200 percent compared to the same period last year.

In the past decade, the African tourism market has gradually become familiar to Chinese tourists, said Li Peng, an executive in charge of outbound long-haul business at Tuniu.com, also an online travel service provider in China.

The Chinese Lunar New Year holiday as well as winter and summer vacations are peak seasons for outbound travel, with a significant increase in demand for small-group and customized tours, according to Li Peng.

Li Mengran, the media and public relations manager of Beijing-based travel agency U-tour, said that the company’s services for tours of African destinations have seen a year-on-year increase of 30 percent to 35 percent in reservations. The summer vacation and September-October period have specifically seen increases, as they are the best times to witness the great animal migration in Africa.

The most visited African countries by Chinese tourists currently include Egypt, South Africa, Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Mauritius, and Ghana, according to statistics from Ctrip.

Unique, diverse tourism experiences

“The allure of African tourism lies mainly in the experiences of returning to nature and seeking adventure,” said Li Peng.

According to Li Peng, the main attractions in the Northern African region are cultural and historical sites and desert landscapes. Eastern Africa is characterized by its wild natural environment and natural wonders. The highlight of Southern Africa tourism experiences is high-quality leisure travel.

Tourists can explore ancient sites or enjoy their vacations at beach resorts in Egypt, immerse themselves in the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Morocco, visit the Sahara Desert, and feast their eyes on the South African’s rich and varied natural beauty, Li Peng said.

Watching the awe-inspiring animal migration in Kenya and Tanzania is one of the most popular activities among Chinese tourists, Li Peng noted.

Chinese tourists’ tourism experiences in Africa have become more diverse and immersive, said Li Mengran, pointing out in addition to the traditional destinations of South Africa, Kenya, and Egypt, tourists are traveling to more countries like Morocco, Tunisia, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Seychelles, and Mauritius.

The average duration of Chinese tourists’ visits to Africa has extended from 8-10 days to 14-18 days, allowing them to not only explore deep into national parks but also try activities like wild camping, yacht trips, and dune bashing, Li Mengran said.

During this summer, China Tourism Group (CTG), a large travel company in the country, organized a trip to Tanzania for Chinese tourists, who witnessed the great migration of animals in the Serengeti Plain, admired the magnificent Ngorongoro Crater, visited the clove flower sea of Zanzibar Island, and also learned about the culture of local tribes.

Promising prospects

Although the cost of African tourism is relatively high, Africa is increasingly becoming a must-visit destination for more Chinese tourists, said Yang Jingsong, director of the international research institute of the China Tourism Academy.

Travel agencies are introducing a variety of themed travel products and convenient services, which are gaining favor among Chinese tourists, Yang said. It is believed that tourism exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa will yield more fruitful results, he added.

The deepening tourism exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa will foster the development of diverse, personalized, and high-quality tourism products and services catering to travelers eager to explore Africa, said Li Peng.

With the steady development of China-Africa cooperation, Africa will attract the attention of more Chinese tourists, said Han Jie, president of China Youth Travel Service (CYTS) Aoyou Technology Development Co., Ltd.

Qin Jing, vice president of Ctrip, said that China and Africa are highly complementary in tourism, with Africa holding strong appeal for Chinese tourists.

She believes that tourism cooperation between China and Africa will reach new heights, contributing to economic and trade exchanges, people-to-people and cultural exchanges and development for both sides.

Source:   ATTA.

---

The Ministry of Tourism is devising a new strategy to increase international tourist arrivals to five million by 2027.

It seeks to achieve this through a Tembea Kenya, which will soon be launched, to boost the number from the current about 2 million arrivals yearly.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano spoke while hosting tourism players at an event in Nairobi yesterday.

“This happens mainly through participation in local and international events, campaigns, policy advocacy, and in creating innovative tourism products and experiences,” Miano said.

“During my interaction with the tourism sector stakeholders this afternoon, I made a commitment to build strong linkages with the private sector and to make the tourism industry the number one contributor of foreign exchange earnings and job creation,” she said.

In the first half of this year, Kenya generated 142.5 billion shillings in tourism revenue during the first, assisted by a significant rise in visitor numbers, according to the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB).

This represents an increase from 1.06 billion dollars in the same period last year, the KTB reported.

The KTB said that Kenya welcomed 1.03 million international visitors, marking a 21.3 percent increase from 847,810 visitors during the same period in 2023.

Domestic tourism also saw growth, with 2.25 million bed nights recorded, about a 10 percent increase from 2.06 million bed nights in the previous year.

Source:  Travel News.