Nurturing the Future Economies of our Region

Media Partner by MEA Business
26 February 2025
The Ritz Carlton JBR, Dubai


  • 200+ Leaders from Banking and Financial Services, Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, Investors, Technology Businesses, Fintechs, Regulators
  • 30+ Thought Leaders, Innovators and Market Makers & Experts
  • 6 In-depth & lively sessions on the future and state of SMEs in the region
  • 6 Hours of Peer Interaction and Networking

Overview

Much is being done across the region to encourage, develop and assist entrepreneurs and SMEs with government bodies, financial institutions and investors all making their contributions to keep this essential sector humming. Governments are awake to the vital role SMEs play in the day-to-day running of economies and are helping to foster enabling environments for them. However, as societies change and become more commercially diverse, so also must new structures and social obligations, such as corporate tax and VAT be put into place to underpin the economies that are developing.

Banks and financial institutions, often called out for not being flexible enough or sympathetic to the needs of startups and SMEs, have been and are avidly addressing this perception, with the development of products and services, plus specialist divisions to cater to and assist small businesses in their quest for success.

Technology businesses are building the platforms and solutions to help SMEs thrive in todays digitised and AI driven world and Fintechs – often themselves SMEs with the accompanying needs, also bring creativity and convenience into play in ways that can relieve some of the everyday financial constraints and stresses of managing a small enterprise.

The MEA Finance SME Business and Finance Summit & Awards 2025 will gather regional leaders from Businesses and Business Start-up Specialists, Banking and Finance, Technology and Fintechs, Regulators and Governmental Institutions all taking an active role in nurturing and enhancing the place of SMEs in our regional economies.

What to expect

  • More than 200 regional banking and financial services, business, entrepreneurs, start-ups, investors, with a format attracting the entire spectrum of interested professionals including regulators, technology companies, fintechs, innovators and other stakeholders from the adjacent value chains.
  • Solid engagement opportunities for your company with decision makers, to directly detail your company’s solutions to today’s most pressing SME and small business-related issues.
  • Exposure to the regional banking communities with your brand visibility in the networking and exhibition area during breaks and through participation in panel discussions and keynote presentations.

MEA Finance Summits, Forums and Conferences

The MEA Finance Conferences are known for bringing together over 500 regional banking, business, investment and technology leaders for a day of immersive discussion on the latest developments and most pressing issues being faced across the sectors of the banking industry and SME ecosystems in the Middle East and Africa. These one-day, exclusive gathering includes audience presentations and panel discussions, with an array of the region’s industry-leading experts, innovators and distinguished speakers who meet to discuss the future of SMEs and startups and the banking and finance innovation that will support them towards success

Provisional Agenda

Wednesday, 26 February 2025

PANEL 1: Why would you do that? - The life of a regional SME entrepreneur
What motivates someone to start a business? Most that do are aware of the challenges, but knowing the risks and living through them are vastly different experiences. Focus on the core business often goes beyond a days’ work, then comes admin, bureaucracy, sales, chasing payment for products and services rendered, staffing etc.; and somehow fitting in family time too. Do business owners receive fair treatment from banks and other vital service providers? Beyond financing, what other public or private mechanisms or organisations are in place in the region to provide support to SME owners and entrepreneurs?
PANEL 2: Balancing the Books - Liquidity, Funding, Credit and Debt
How available is finance to the region’s SMEs when needed, whether in the short or long term? How do the terms they receive compare larger sized operations? Are there liquidity needs that are specific the SME sector? Has open banking and new payments options like BNPL reduced the stress on SMEs working capital? Given the well acknowledged contribution they make to regional economies, what do regional banks, governments and financial authorities have in place to provide support? How does the liquidity, funding, credit and debt landscape currently look for regional SMEs and how is it evolving?
PANEL 3: Decisions, decisions - Your fateful first steps
What decisions must you make when starting or scaling up your business? Should you set up in a freezone and if so, which is the best for your business? If you desire work life influence, is a startup or taking a franchise the best choice? What insurance best suits your business? What legal representation does your business or market require? What are your key real-estate requirements - retail, commercial, industrial etc., and what kind of tenure works better for your circumstances? Which are the most suitable sources of funding - VC’s, banks, equity release from existing assets? How can you ensure you are making the right decisions?
PANEL 4: Programmed for Partnership - How technology is supporting SMEs
Much is made of the role of technology and AI, but how can it be most useful and best deployed in the SME and Startup context? As tools for automation and essential back-office tasks such as payroll, inventory management and accounting, it obviously has a role but are there small business specific advantages or accesses that technology can now provide that were not until recently available. What role can technology play in marketing and sales and can SMEs enjoy the kind of value from the cloud that larger business enjoy?
PANEL 5: Taxing times - Business Setup, Taxation and Regulatory Compliance
In recent times, regional governments have instituted new taxation and VAT regimes. As our economies grow more diverse and less reliant on natural resources, so do the sophistication of our regulatory environments. The effect is that SMEs and startups must make serious and considered decisions about how their operations will meet their mandatory obligations. Should you set up in a free zone and what are the benefits for SMEs? How can small businesses and SMEs remain compliant with employment and labour laws in free zones and the mainland? How can you best stay atop of your taxation and VAT obligations?
PANEL 6: Trading Places - Trade & Supply Chain Finance for SMEs & startups
Many SMEs trade across borders or are expanding their ranges to bring overseas commerce into their growth strategies, but many face financing challenges making deals. Banks can be forgiven for caution when extending credit, given greater risk perceptions, less enticing volumes or shorter financial track records, but could they do more to help? Have some banks already developed specific solutions for SMEs? What role can technology play in building availability of trade and supply chain financing. Are SMEs and startups actually aware of opportunities and offers in place to help them expand in this way

Speakers




SPEAKERS TO BE ANNOUNCED



MEA Finance, SME Business and Finance Awards 2025

MEA Finance was established with the goal of serving the regional banking and financial services sector operating in our exciting and dynamic region. We are committed to providing dedicated news, insightful interviews, the highest level events and well deserved recognition to the region’s financial service providers, banking technology and fintech leaders. MEA Finance is best placed to cover the full range of the banking and financial sectors, and the fast-developing technology that powers the industry today. As part of our integral role in the region’s banking sector, we benchmark, recognise and actively encourage excellence within institutions.

SMEs and Start-ups are rightfully recognised for their vital role in building prosperity, and growing regional economies. Banks and financial institutions, with the partnership of technology businesses and fintechs, have moved to ensure that this important market sector receives all the support it needs.

The MEA Finance SME Business and Finance Awards 2025 will bring due recognition, and celebrate the achievements of the region’s leading banks, technology providers, fintechs, the essential services providers, and the SMEs themselves who have had standout roles in the nurturing and successes of the region’s SMEs.
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Categories

Click below to view individual award categories and submit nominations.

Awarded to the bank that can definitively show that their collective SME banking products and services are leading the market in the region.
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Awarded to the bank judged to provide the most innovative, flexible and accommodating lending and credit services for SMEs operating in our region.
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Awarded to the bank or financial institution that has developed services and products that have demonstrably provided more and better opportunities for SMEs to grow their businesses.
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Awarded to the bank or financial institution that is judged to offer the best options and services for SMEs.
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Awarded to the bank or financial institution that has developed, deployed and provided a product that has clearly positive advantages to their SME clients.
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Awarded to the bank or Financial institution that has instigated and provided an innovative and advantageous credit and lending that has had clearly positive results for clients.
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Awarded to the bank offering the most helpful and supportive advice and services for businesses at their earliest and arguably most vulnerable stages of development.
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Awarded to the best bank, company or organisation that can show that their guidance and advice has produced the most positive outcomes for their SME advisees.
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Awarded to the bank, financial institution or entity that has devised and provided the best or most helpful liquidity management and working capital solution for SMEs.
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Awarded to the bank or financial institution that successfully shows that their payments services and solutions provide distinct benefits for SMEs.
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Awarded to the bank or financial institution deemed to be providing the best Islamic banking and finance services for businesses that value and prioritise conducting their banking and business requirements according to Sharia principles.
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SMEs Banking Technology Awards

Awarded to the technology vendor whose products and innovations have provided financial institutions with the best digital banking solution specific to the needs of their SME clients.
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Awarded to the technology vendor or provider judged to provide the best range of banking services for SMEs such as onboarding, employee apps, loan origination or other value added services.
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Awarded to the cloud provider that provides the best and most innovative specific options and flexible scalability for small businesses.
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Awarded to the technology provider offering start-ups and SMEs the most suitable products and services for meeting their specific needs as a small enterprise.
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Awarded to the AI technology provider offering start-ups and SMEs the most suitable Artificial Intelligence products and services for meeting their specific needs as a small enterprise.
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Fintech

Awarded to the Fintech company that has created and delivered the most innovative solutions specifically helpful to the widest range of SMEs operating in an economy.
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Awarded to the Start-up or SME operating as a Fintech business judged to be offering the most innovative service and/or capabilities enhancements to clients.
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Awarded to the Fintech company that has created and delivered the most innovative, flexible and helpful solutions to assist SMEs best manage their expenses and cashflow.
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Free Zones and Company Start-up Services

Awarded to the Free Zone Authority that among its range of business advantages and services include providing the most extensive and/or bespoke infrastructure to support tenants, the most attractive fiscal incentives and comprehensive start up assistance.
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Awarded to the Free Zone Authority that in the recent past has developed and implemented innovative or ground-breaking policies and/or services to attract new businesses or enhance the opportunities for SMEs in their zone.
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Awarded to the company set-up service provider that can demonstrate the best understanding and most innovative services catering for the specific needs of business start-ups and SMEs.
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Awarded to the company start-up service showing excellence and innovation in key elements such as cost calculation, taxation advice, bank account set up and consultancy services, with the most positive outcomes for clients and contributions to the wider economy.
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Support Services Awards

Awarded to the law firm or legal services provider demonstrating best understanding and application of the specific legal requirements and obligations of SMEs and Start-ups in accordance with prevailing legislation.
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Awarded to the Workspace solutions provider offering the best terms, facilities, locations and environment for SMEs and Start-ups.
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Awarded to the Public Relations and/or Marketing Agency with the best service options for small businesses combined with a strong track record of success in the promotion of their clients.
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Sponsors


LEAD PARTNER


OFFICIAL SME BANKING PARTNER


GOLD SPONSOR


SILVER SPONSOR


EVENT PARTNERS

FOR SPEAKING, SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBITION ENQUIRIES:

Nap Estampador
+971 50 100 5488
nap.estampador@mea-finance.com

Andrew Cover
+971 50 931 3236
andrew.cover@mea-finance.com

Kenneth Mitchen
+971 55 289 1739
ken.mitchen@mea-finance.com

FOR SPEAKING & AGENDA ENQUIRIES:

Natasha Cristi
+971 58 527 1219
natasha@mea-finance.com

Venue

The Ritz Carlton JBR, Dubai

MEA Finance SME Business & Finance Summit & Awards 2025
26 February 2025
The Ritz Carlton JBR, Dubai
CONTACT US
Contact No. +971 50 100 5488
Building B, Al Saaha Offices, Old Town Island
Burj Khalifa District,
PO Box 487177
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
www.mea-finance.com