DET and Dubai Chambers partner with Tradeling to accelerate SME digital growth

- DET and Dubai Chambers partner with Tradeling to accelerate SME digital growth under Dubai Traders Initiative 

- Partnership to expand Dubai Traders into B2B and wholesale markets
- Initiative enables SMEs to digitise wholesale operations, access institutional buyers, and scale across regional and global markets
- Partnership builds on collaborations with noon and Amazon and supports the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Dubai Chambers have announced a strategic partnership with Tradeling, the MENA region’s largest B2B digital ecosystem, under the Dubai Traders initiative. Tradeling, a Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) entity, will support Dubai-based SMEs in accelerating their transition into digital wholesale and B2B trade.

The partnership agreement was signed in the presence of His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ). It was signed by His Excellency Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), the economic development arm of DET, and Alastair Croker, CEO of Tradeling.

The partnership marks the next phase of Dubai Traders’ evolution, building on the strong momentum generated through anchor partnerships with leading B2C platforms noon and Amazon. This new partnership expands the initiative’s scope to B2B and wholesale markets, unlocking new growth pathways for traders, manufacturers, distributors, and exporters. 

Launched in 2024, Dubai Traders is a cornerstone of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033 and further consolidate its position as a premier global hub for business and innovation. By partnering with Tradeling, Dubai Traders is addressing a critical gap in SME enablement: helping businesses digitise their wholesale operations, access large institutional buyers, and scale efficiently across regional and international markets.

His Excellency Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), the economic development arm of DET, said: “Under the guidance of our visionary leadership, the Dubai Traders initiative reinforces our mission to cultivate the most dynamic, accessible and beneficial environment for SMEs. This partnership with Tradeling marks an important chapter in empowering SMEs in the city to harness the benefits and seize the opportunities of a digitally driven economy, advances our commitment to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, and strengthens the city's role as a leading destination for entrepreneurship and innovation. Through Dubai Traders, we are transforming entrepreneurial ambition into competitive advantage and creating new pathways for businesses to scale regionally and internationally.”

Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, said: “With this collaboration, we are strengthening the practical support available to SMEs that want to grow through B2B channels, from digitising processes to building the capabilities needed to operate at scale. The focus is on making adoption easier and more cost-effective, while giving businesses clearer visibility on performance and buyer demand so they can make faster, better-informed decisions. By expanding the enablement journey beyond consumer e-commerce, Dubai Traders is helping more SMEs compete for larger opportunities and grow sustainably as the digital trade landscape continues to evolve.”

Alastair Croker, CEO of Tradeling, said: “As MENA’s largest B2B digital ecosystem serving thousands of businesses across the region, Tradeling is proud to collaborate with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Chambers through the Dubai Traders initiative. We witness first-hand the ambition and resilience of Dubai’s SME community and understand the powerful role that digital infrastructure plays in enabling sustainable growth. By equipping traders with access to the right digital tools and support, this partnership advances Dubai’s vision of building a globally competitive, digitally enabled business environment.” 

Through the partnership, participating businesses will gain access to a comprehensive suite of incentives and enablement tools designed to reduce friction, accelerate onboarding, and drive sustainable B2B growth. Benefits include reduced Tradeling commissions and fulfilment fees, discounted advertising packages to boost product visibility among buyers, and dedicated onboarding support with personalised account management providing hands-on operational guidance. Participants will also get access to regular educational webinars and training on B2B best practices, advanced data and analytics tools to support business planning and performance monitoring, enhanced platform-wide visibility through homepage banners and targeted promotional campaigns, and off-platform marketing support including digital campaigns and email marketing to drive buyer traffic.

Emirati sellers will receive additional tailored support, including bespoke content and branding assistance, customised growth roadmaps with expert advisory, prioritised placements on the platform, and exclusive opportunities to activate offline sales channels.

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Dubai, Tradeling has rapidly grown into MENA's largest B2B ecosystem. Tradeling's digital marketplace connects more than 50,000 business buyers with 120,000 sellers across 14 industry categories, offering millions of competitively priced wholesale products online. This marketplace is supported by the wider Tradeling B2B ecosystem, including integrated logistics, secure payment solutions, and a growing network of regional distribution channels.

Tradeling’s affiliation with DIEZ further reinforces its role as a trusted ecosystem partner aligned with Dubai’s digital economy and trade ambitions, with deep institutional credibility and a strong understanding of the region’s SME landscape. By combining Tradeling’s robust B2B infrastructure with DET’s and Dubai Chambers’ extensive SME networks, policy frameworks, and market access capabilities, the partnership creates a powerful end-to-end enablement model, from onboarding and digitisation to demand generation and cross-border expansion.  

Since its launch, Dubai Traders has onboarded more than 2,600 new e-commerce sellers and supported over 410 Emirati-owned businesses, driving measurable impact in SME digital adoption. Through strategic partnerships with leading platforms including noon and Amazon, the initiative has enhanced access to marketplaces, fulfilment services, and advertising tools, cementing Dubai’s reputation as the smartest launch-pad for entrepreneurs eyeing regional and international customers.

The partnership with Tradeling extends this impact into wholesale, procurement, and institutional trade, reinforcing Dubai's leadership in shaping the future of digital commerce across both B2C and B2B markets.

 To find out more about Dubai Traders, please visit:dubai-traders | Wholesale Prices | Tradeling