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Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Chambers have announced a strategic partnership with Tradeling, the leading business-to-business wholesale platform in the Middle East and North Africa region, as part of the Dubai Traders initiative. This collaboration aims to accelerate the digital transformation of small and medium enterprises in Dubai and expand their B2B digital commerce capabilities.
The agreement was signed in the presence of His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, and Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, CEO of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority. Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation, and Alistair Crocker, CEO of Tradeling, executed the partnership agreement on behalf of their respective organizations.
Strategic Partnership Expands Dubai B2B Digital Commerce
Tradeling, which operates under the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority, will provide essential facilities to help small and medium enterprises accelerate their transition to digital wholesale commerce. According to Hadi Badri, this strategic partnership represents a significant step toward enabling businesses in the emirate to leverage the advantages of the digital economy and available economic opportunities.
The partnership reflects the organization’s commitment to achieving the targets of the D33 Dubai Economic Agenda and consolidating the city’s position as the best destination for entrepreneurship and innovation. Additionally, it transforms the emirate’s entrepreneurial ambitions into a competitive advantage by creating new pathways for businesses to expand regionally and globally.
Comprehensive Support for Digital Transformation
Saeed Al Qargawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, emphasized that the collaboration enhances practical support available to SMEs seeking growth through B2B partnerships. The initiative focuses on facilitating adoption of these solutions and making them more cost-efficient while providing clear visibility into performance and demand.
However, the support extends beyond consumer e-commerce, helping more SMEs compete for larger opportunities and achieve sustainable growth. The partnership enables businesses to make informed decisions as the digital commerce landscape continues to evolve.
Alistair Crocker noted that as the largest digital B2B ecosystem in the Middle East and North Africa, serving thousands of companies throughout the region, Tradeling is proud to collaborate with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism. The company witnesses firsthand the ambition and resilience of Dubai’s SME community and recognizes the powerful role digital infrastructure plays in enabling sustainable growth.
Enhanced Benefits and Incentives for Participating Businesses
This new partnership represents the next phase in the evolution of the Dubai Traders initiative, building on strong momentum achieved through previous strategic partnerships with leading e-commerce platforms Noon and Amazon. Meanwhile, it expands the initiative’s scope to include B2B transactions and the wholesale market, opening new growth horizons for traders, manufacturers, distributors, and exporters.
Through this partnership, participating companies will access a comprehensive package of incentives and enablement tools designed to reduce difficulties and accelerate onboarding. These benefits include reduced Tradeling commissions, fulfillment fees, and discounted advertising packages to enhance product visibility among B2B buyers.
Furthermore, businesses will receive onboarding support, dedicated account management for personalized guidance, and operational assistance. They can participate in weekly online educational seminars covering B2B best practices and access advanced analytics and data tools to support business planning and performance tracking.
Special Advantages for Emirati Traders
Emirati traders will receive additional support including customized content, assistance in building private labels, and specially designed growth plans supervised by experts. In contrast to standard offerings, they will receive priority product placement on the platform with exclusive opportunities to leverage alternative selling methods.
Tradeling’s connection to the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority enhances its role as a trusted partner within an integrated ecosystem aligned with Dubai’s digital economy and trade ambitions. The partnership combines Tradeling’s robust B2B infrastructure with extensive SME networks, regulatory frameworks, and market access capabilities.
Significant Impact Since Launch
The Dubai Traders initiative, launched in 2024, forms a fundamental pillar within the D33 Dubai Economic Agenda, which aims to double the emirate’s economy by 2033. According to official figures, the initiative has attracted more than 2,600 new e-commerce sellers since its launch and supported over 410 Emirati companies.
Tradeling was established in 2019 and is headquartered in Dubai, having quickly established itself as the largest B2B commerce ecosystem in the MENA region. The platform’s digital marketplace connects more than 50,000 business buyers with approximately 120,000 sellers across over 14 industrial categories, offering millions of wholesale products at competitive prices.
The partnership with Tradeling expands the initiative’s impact to include wholesale trade, procurement, and B2B transactions, reinforcing Dubai’s leadership in shaping the future of digital commerce across both consumer and business markets. Further details regarding implementation timelines and specific enrollment procedures are expected to be announced by the Department of Economy and Tourism in the coming weeks.
