Small Emirati-owned businesses will soon be able to sell their products on noon.com, under a new partnership between the online marketplace and Khalifa Fund for Economic Development.
The agreement aims to offer a helping hand to small businesses looking to break the e-commerce market in the UAE.
Startups and local entrepreneurs in Abu Dhabi will benefit from a host of benefits as part of the initiative.
Those who sign up will be given immediate access to noon’s millions of customers as well as discounted rates on online market space.
Participating small and medium-sized enterprises will be offered a two-month commission-free period for online sales on the website and will get one per cent credit back on their sales for three months.
We must give our local SMEs, the ones who have been on the frontline, the best tools to thrive
Local farms that promote home-grown UAE produce will also be allocated dedicated space on the popular ‘noon Daily’ grocery delivery service, where customers can shop their fruits and vegetables to help drive sales online.
As part of the e-Empower programme, which was set up by the Khalifa Fund last month, experts from noon.com will also provide one-on-one training to Emirati micro-businesses looking to upscale their online customer reach.
From support with content creation, getting the most out of analytics and help with marketing campaigns, they will learn how to stay afloat during economic instability.
There will be a dedicated section on noon.com to give special visibility to e-Empower companies.
An intensive marketing campaign will also be co-created between noon.com and the Khalifa Fund to propel sales.
Local businesses can apply to participate in the programme via noon.com.
Consumer habits around the world have been affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.
As people spend more time at home, they have increasingly turned to online shopping, hastening the growth of e-commerce in the region.
In June, a study by Dubai Police, Dubai Economy and Visa, showed that 48 per cent of consumers planned on increasing their use of online payments with cards or digital wallets for future e-commerce purchases, even after the Covid-19 pandemic subsides.
In Abu Dhabi, SMEs account for 98 per cent of all companies making them a key pillar of the emirate’s economy.
As such, the UAE capital recently announced various measures to support and develop SMEs, including economic relief packages during the pandemic.
Speaking to The National, Mouza Al Nasri, chief executive of Khalifa Fund said the collaboration with noon.com would help small businesses thrive in a digital consumer landscape.
"The onset of the current health pandemic has had an impact on the way people shop and over the past few months we have seen positive trends in the e-commerce sector,” she said.
“With this initiative our objective is to transform adversity into opportunity and support and develop the spirit of entrepreneurship in Abu Dhabi.
“Collaborating with an industry giant like noon, a company which has high penetration in the e-commerce market, will create a huge advantage for hundreds of SMEs.”
Mohamed Alabbar, founder of noon, said the new partnership would act as a support system for small businesses.
“The noon.com partnership with the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development is an important step in the safeguarding of our digital landscape for future generations,” he said.
“We must give our local SMEs, the ones who have been on the frontline, the best tools to thrive.
"E-empower companies will grow with noon, expanding their reach to millions of customers in the region."
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
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THE SPECS
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Power: 325bhp
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Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
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Keane on …
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instant impact at former club LA Galaxy: “Brilliant. It’s been a great start for him and for the club. They were crying out for another big name there. They were lacking that, for the prestige of LA Galaxy. And now they have one of the finest stars. I hope they can go win something this year.”
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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- Flexible payment plans from developers
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
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8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
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10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
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12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
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14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
