Dubai Chamber workshop raises awareness of online trading

As part of its efforts to apply the concept of smart trade in line with Dubai’s strategy to transform into a Smart City, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry has partnered with Alibaba.com, a leading global e-commerce platform for small and medium businesses, to present its members with an exclusive opportunity to take their business to the next level and to help create new market opportunities.

Continuing its efforts in this direction, Dubai Chamber is organising awareness-raising sessions focusing on recognising e-Commerce as a door to new business opportunities and at providing a number of exclusive benefits under the Chamber’s partnership with Alibaba.com Group.

After conducting two awareness-raising sessions this month in Dubai and Jebel Ali, the Chamber will be hosting two more sessions on April 9 at the Chamber head office and another one on April 20 at Dubai Chamber JAFZA branch.

During the awareness sessions the attendees are presented with numerous benefits such as Verified Membership and “Trusted Member” Label which helps to increase companies’ visibility, gain the confidence of potential clients and to enhance e-trade reputation and trustworthiness globally. Moreover, access to Dubai Chamber Knowledge Centre as well as to e-Commerce training sessions are among many benefits this partnership is offering.

Dr. Belaid Rettab, Senior Director, Economic Research and Sustainable Business Development Sector, Dubai Chamber, informed that the benefits are available to all MENA companies.

He further stressed that trusted members get an accredited digital certificate which confirms to customers, suppliers and vendors that the company has established a reputable name in the market. Uploaded on the company’s e-profile, this certificate enhances the company’s reputation, increases its exposure and visibility to quality buyers, which in turn will boost its sales growth and reduce transaction costs.

Dr. Rettab also informed that the portal has various tiers of membership including Verified Membership, which has reached 12,000 and Trusted Membership to 100. Dubai Chamber aims to increase its Verified Members to 15,000 and Trusted Members to 500 soon.

The concept of e-commerce is gaining momentum and is expected to witness a growth of 40% in the GCC as the UAE is ranked as the largest e-commerce market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. According to Dubai Chamber statistics based on "PayPal" data, the size of the UAE market is expected to reach USD5.1 billion by the end of 2015. The country will acquire a third of the total expected e-commerce market share of USD15 billion from the number of transactions in the Middle East and North Africa by the year’s end.

Alibaba.com is a leading global e-commerce platform used by 40 million users around the world showcasing 2.8 million supplier storefronts. Dubai Chamber has last year established a partnership with Alibaba.com to launch a MENA portal www.dubaichamber.com/alibaba to offer businesses in the MENA region a unique opportunity to create new market prospects and to start connecting and selling their products and services to businesses worldwide.