Latest news with #inclusivegrowth
Zawya
7 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Abu Dhabi Chamber supports Al Dhafra's business growth through direct SME outreach
Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi – As part of its ongoing commitment to inclusive growth and regional business empowerment, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) – Al Dhafra Branch conducted field visits to a selected group of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Al Dhafra region. This outreach initiative reflects the Chamber's drive to elevate private sector businesses in all regions of the emirate, in alignment with its 2025–2028 roadmap focused on market expansion, ecosystem building, and regional inclusivity to strengthen the emirate's private sector landscape. The guides Abu Dhabi Chamber's efforts to provide key market insights, improve access to investment opportunities, and accelerate capacity building that contributes to the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi's economy. Al Dhafra region demonstrated a vibrant diversity of entrepreneurial talent across sectors including hospitality, retail, and cultural heritage enterprises. The Chamber's engagement team identified seven development opportunities within the business environment in the Al Dhafra region. Led by ADCCI's engagement team, the delegation visited five companies in the retail, tourism, and manufacturing sectors, including Western Hotel in Madinat Zayed, Al Dhafra Walk, La Belle Chocolates & Flowers, and Al Ghahwa Al Arabiya and Dumo Bakery. The visits aimed to spotlight their success stories, deepen understanding of operational challenges, and identify opportunities for collaboration to promote sustainable business growth. 'A thriving private sector across all regions is central to Abu Dhabi's broader economic vision,' said His Excellency Shamis Ali Al Dhaheri, Second Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Chamber. 'The Chamber's strategic role as a key partner in economic development and a driver of competitiveness and sustainable growth means we stand shoulder to shoulder with the business community, sharing its ambitions and providing the tools and resources to scale and succeed. Initiatives like this reaffirm our commitment to listening to business needs, delivering tailored support, and fostering resilient growth at every level.' During the visits, SME owners engaged in open dialogue with Chamber representatives, providing insights on regional customer demand, operational barriers, and the potential for digital and commercial scalability. Insights gained will inform ADCCI's efforts to design more effective policies and services that empower businesses across all Abu Dhabi's regions. The Chamber will continue to implement similar visits across Abu Dhabi, ensuring that all SMEs receive the institutional support necessary to prosper and advance the emirate's diversified and resilient economy.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Why corporates must stop undervaluing SMMEs?
South Africa's 2.5 million small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) employ close to 10 million people, yet corporate South Africa continues to view them largely through the narrow lens of compliance and CSI. This thinking is outdated. If corporations want long-term, inclusive growth, they need to shift from seeing small businesses as beneficiaries to recognising them as strategic partners. Especially in underserved and township markets, SMMEs bring local relevance, innovation, and speed to market that large companies often struggle to achieve, even with scale and budget on their side. Too often, enterprise and supplier development programmes are run in isolation, disconnected from actual procurement. This tick-box approach misses the real opportunity: to co-create, to collaborate, and to embed small businesses in commercial ecosystems. Inclusion is not just about access to funding. It's about access to networks, decision-makers, information and, most critically, markets. One of the simplest yet most impactful shifts corporates can make is paying small suppliers on time. It helps them manage cash flow and grow sustainably. Another is involving them earlier in product development or pilot projects. There's no reason these businesses can't be integrated into innovation pipelines or co-creation labs. Transformation isn't just about representation on panels or stats in reports. It's about sustainable inclusion in income-generating opportunities. This is particularly urgent as we enter Women's Month. Support for women-led SMMEs must go beyond campaigns. These businesses need consistent commercial opportunities, not charity, but a seat at the table. If big business is serious about rebuilding the economy, it must reframe how it sees small business. Not as a side project. Not as a social impact. But as essential to the future of doing business in South Africa.
Globe and Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Mining, Forestry, Reconciliation: Parliamentary Secretary Guay Brings the Conversation to Northern Quebec
VAL-D'OR, QC, Aug. 6, 2025 /CNW/ - Fostering inclusive economic development and ensuring that local communities, including Indigenous partners, benefit from these opportunities are key priorities for the Government of Canada.
Times of Oman
29-07-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
64.3% Indians now covered under social security, against 22% in 2016
New Delhi: About 64.3 per cent of Indian population is covered by social protection systems in 2025, increasing from 22 per cent in 2016, indicating a substantial expansion in social security coverage in the country, according to the latest Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) National Indicator Framework (NIF) Progress Report, 2025. According to the report, which was quoted in the Department of Economic Affairs' monthly review, the proportion of the population that is multidimensionally poor has decreased from 24.9% in 2015-16 to 15% in 2019-21. "This achievement is a testament to the government's commitment towards inclusive growth," read the monthly economic review report. The government's initiatives for improving access to basic amenities are reflected in the rise in the percentage of the population using an improved drinking water source in rural areas, which has increased from 94.6% in 2015-16 to 99.6% in 2024-25. Universal household electrification is expected to be achieved by 2021-22, while 100 per cent of the districts are projected to achieve the Open Defecation Free (ODF) target by 2024-25, according to the report. "The Government's efforts to provide affordable housing, social security for workers, food security, financial inclusion, universal access to basic amenities and high-quality affordable healthcare are instrumental in improving the overall well-being and standards of living," it added. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation's (MoSPI) latest Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) National Indicator Framework (NIF) Progress Report, 2025, provided a comprehensive picture of the impact of these initiatives in achieving SDG targets. Coming to the monthly economic review report, India's economy sustained its growth momentum in the first quarter of 2025-26, supported by robust domestic demand, resilient business and services activity, and a favourable onset of the southwest monsoon. High-frequency indicators reflected broad-based strength, registering strong year-on-year growth. While the manufacturing and construction sectors continued to expand, the services sector anchored overall economic growth in Q1 of 2025-26, according to the abstract of the review report. Inflationary pressures continue to recede in Q1 of 2025-26, with CPI inflation falling to a 77-month low of 2.1 per cent in June 2025. This sharp moderation was driven by a significant decline in food inflation, particularly in the prices of vegetables and pulses.
Associated Press
16-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Joe Douglas, Brazilian Founder of DX Business Center, Drives $2B Impact with Immigrant Business Hub in Orlando
DX Business Center provides a blueprint for inclusive growth, fueling startups, jobs, and community wealth in Florida's fastest-growing immigrant economy. 'We're not just creating businesses, we're building systems that help families and communities participate in long-term economic growth.'— Joe Douglas ORLANDO, FL, UNITED STATES, July 16, 2025 / / -- Amid growing interest in equitable economic development, a business hub in Central Florida is offering a model rooted in local infrastructure. Founded by Brazilian-American entrepreneur Joe Douglas in July 2024, DX Business Center in Orlando was launched to support multicultural founders and has grown into a hub for immigrant entrepreneurship. In its first year, its network of businesses and programs generated an estimated $2 billion in economic activity, illustrating the role grassroots enterprise can play in regional growth. Located in a high-capacity facility, DX Business Center blends coworking space with access to mentorship, networking, educational programming, and collaborative events. Its design reflects the needs of early-stage entrepreneurs and community-driven business leaders, offering podcast studios, mastermind rooms, an auditorium for events, and support for startup acceleration. Locally Designed Response to Structural Gaps In contrast to venture-backed tech incubators, DX Business Center focuses on founders who build from the ground up, often without access to institutional funding. Its mission is to lower the barriers immigrant and first-generation entrepreneurs face when entering the U.S. market. The center works to create infrastructure that fosters both small business growth and long-term community wealth. According to internal metrics and independent estimates, the broader DX ecosystem, including tenants and alumni, has contributed to over $2 billion in collective business transactions and activity. Sectors represented include construction, transportation logistics, food service, real estate, professional consulting, and media. A Platform More Than a Place The DX model combines physical resources with a social and educational framework. Members have access to: -Podcast production studios for storytelling and digital presence -Weekly business events with curated topics ranging from marketing to legal support -Roundtables and mastermind groups to promote peer learning -Programming for immigrant entrepreneurs navigating cultural, legal, or financial systems With its flexible layout and structured programming, the center functions as a work club that encourages both informal collaboration and structured engagement. Building More Than One Business DX Business Center is part of a larger ecosystem founded by Joe Douglas, including: -DX Building: A construction and development company focused on real estate and custom commercial projects, launched after Douglas arrived in the U.S. in 2019 and began his career in construction. The firm now supports emerging construction leaders in navigating regulatory frameworks and building capacity. -Partiu EUA: A community-driven education platform that offers business guidance, documentation support, and cultural onboarding to new immigrants entering the U.S. small business landscape. Originally focused on the Brazilian-American community, the platform is expanding to serve other immigrant populations across Central Florida. These affiliated efforts operate from the DX Business Center headquarters, offering services that reflect a holistic vision of economic empowerment. Meeting Orlando's Moment Orlando continues to be one of the fastest-growing immigrant metro areas in the southeastern United States. Yet while cultural diversity is increasing, access to economic opportunity remains unequal. DX Business Center aims to bridge this divide by offering infrastructure and mentorship for aspiring entrepreneurs who may not have traditional business education or access to capital. The center has drawn interest from local stakeholders, including financial institutions, workforce development boards, and civic organizations that have hosted educational events or sought consultation from the DX team on community needs. Positioned for Long-Term Impact Though only one year into operations, DX Business Center is being reviewed for recognition by award programs in the economic development and small business space. While those distinctions remain pending, the impact among tenants and the surrounding community continues to grow. Founders supported by the center have cited key differentiators including language access, peer mentorship, and real-world experience. Unlike franchise coworking brands, DX Business Center focuses on operational accessibility and local empowerment. Next Steps and Strategic Expansion DX Business Center is now entering a second phase with several strategic initiatives in development: -New Facility Expansion: To accommodate demand, the center is exploring a second location within Orlando. -Virtual Mentorship Portal: A digital tool to connect small business mentors with entrepreneurs across the state. -Bilingual Business Academy: Courses in English, Portuguese, and Spanish designed for founders navigating U.S. compliance, procurement, and accounting systems. -Public-Private Initiatives: Collaboration with local agencies to expand resource access and small business visibility. -Trade Apprenticeships: Structured training pathways for immigrant youth interested in entrepreneurship or skilled trades. These steps reflect the center's commitment to inclusive systems and long-term sustainability. Redefining Economic Participation The mission behind DX Business Center, according to its founder Joe Douglas, is to build pathways where entrepreneurship is accessible, not aspirational. Rather than adapting to traditional startup culture, the model centers on immigrant experience, economic dignity, and community resilience. Douglas describes his approach as 'building infrastructure for others to build futures', a philosophy he developed during his own journey, which began in construction and has evolved into a multi-platform economic development initiative. Joe Douglas DX Business Center +1 352-988-8532 email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Other Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. 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