Dubai’s DET signs partnership with P&G to foster economic growth

The strategic collaboration aims to contribute to Dubai’s economic growth by focusing on various key areas, including SME development in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, talent training programmes, vocational learning, and sustainability initiatives.

The formalisation of this partnership took place at the P&G Innovation Centre in Dubai, witnessed by dignitaries, including Omar Channawi, CEO of P&G Middle East, Pakistan, and Global Entrepreneurial Markets, and Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC).

Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), said: “In alignment with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), this partnership builds on the vision of our leadership and our proven development strategy to engage with leading private sector entities to deepen sector expertise and spearhead economic growth.

“The agreement with P&G will not only give Dubai’s vast ecosystem of small and medium-sized enterprises access to industry leading knowledge, technical expertise and mentorship opportunities but also enable the wider talent ecosystem through targeted skills development initiatives and vocational training curriculum.”

“With Dubai’s FMCG space poised for vibrant expansion and the city’s active promotion of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, there are abundant opportunities for homegrown businesses and talent to contribute to the sustainable development of the fast-growing FMCG sector. This industry alliance represents a commitment to shared success, harnessing our unique strengths to create a brighter and more impactful future for all stakeholders involved,” he added.

Omar Channawi, CEO of Procter & Gamble Middle East, Pakistan, and Global Entrepreneurial Markets, said: “P&G brands serve five billion people around the world, through a focused portfolio of products in 10 categories. It is our mission to strengthen our contribution to local economies through collaboration with regulators & retailers.

“We are honoured to take our partnership with DET forward to maintain dialogue and further emphasize our commitment to drive innovation in the UAE and better serve our customers and consumers. We look forward to advancing our efforts with our ecosystem partners to pool resources, new technologies, reach and knowledge enabling our growing future in the Middle East region.”

One of the primary objectives of this collaboration is the development of talent training programmes. DET and P&G will work together to enhance the technical skills of Emiratis engaged in or aspiring for careers in manufacturing operations, supply chain management, and data analytics. This initiative aims to contribute to building a skilled and competitive workforce for the future.

Dubai’s FMCG boom: P&G collaboration

In conjunction with educational institutions in Dubai, DET and P&G will establish a vocational learning curriculum. This programme is specifically designed to equip individuals for careers in the private sector, with a primary focus on the FMCG industry.

The partnership will facilitate capacity-building programmes for Dubai’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the FMCG value chain.

This includes technical toolkits for operational excellence, digital and supply chain transformation, and leadership development.

Leveraging P&G’s global innovation-based resources, the programmes will incorporate real-world business use cases, mentorship sessions, and workshops with industry experts to accelerate growth in the sector.

DET and P&G will also join forces to promote Dubai’s circular economy and sustainability initiatives within the FMCG sector. This aligns with the UAE’s and P&G’s global environmental goals.

P&G has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 across its operations and supply chain, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to addressing lifecycle emissions of its products and packaging.