An industry roundtable held on 5 March in Dubai brought together senior stakeholders from government, finance, and the wider business ecosystem to examine the challenges and opportunities surrounding MSME financing in the UAE.
Hosted at the Kempinski Hotel, the roundtable, titled “Enhancing MSME Financing in the UAE”, provided a platform for open dialogue on the structural and data-related barriers that continue to limit access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises. Participants explored how gaps in credit information, regulatory complexity, and limited data availability affect both MSMEs seeking funding and financial institutions assessing risk.
A key challenge highlighted during the discussions was the difficulty many MSMEs face in establishing sufficient credit history, particularly in the early stages of their development. This lack of accessible financial and operational data was identified as a major constraint on financing, impacting lenders’ ability to accurately assess trade credit and loan risk. The issue is further compounded by the UAE’s multi-jurisdictional environment, including free zones with differing regulatory and reporting frameworks, which can fragment data availability and coverage.
The discussions also examined the unique dynamics of the UAE’s predominantly expatriate business community. Many business owners establishing companies locally do not have a domestic credit history, creating additional hurdles when seeking finance. Participants noted that greater access to cross-border credit information, alongside trusted mechanisms for data sharing, could play an important role in addressing this challenge and supporting financial inclusion for MSMEs.
Attention was also given to the importance of trust in data sharing. Stakeholders emphasised that any progress in improving MSME access to finance would require secure, transparent frameworks that protect data owners while enabling meaningful collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Among the proposed solutions, participants highlighted the need for a coordinated, government-supported framework for data collection and sharing, designed to enhance transparency, improve risk assessment, and encourage innovation. Education and support for MSMEs — particularly in areas such as cash flow management and financial literacy during early growth stages — were also identified as critical enablers of long-term sustainability.
The roundtable concluded with a shared view on the importance of continued dialogue between policymakers, financial institutions, data providers, and MSME representatives. Participants agreed that collaborative action, supported by robust data infrastructure and education initiatives, will be essential in strengthening the UAE’s MSME financing landscape.
The discussions marked a constructive step towards building a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem, reinforcing the role of dialogue and data-driven insight in supporting MSME growth across the UAE.
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