The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) has opened a new support hub in Dubai to guide Singapore companies entering the Middle East.

The Business Times reported that the Singapore Enterprise Centre is the federation’s first in the region and the fifth in its GlobalConnect network.

The new centre will act as a launchpad for businesses exploring opportunities in the Gulf.

It will offer market advisory services, business matching, networking sessions, workshops and sector-focused roundtables.

Existing centres under the initiative are located in Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok and Bengaluru.

Interest in the Middle East has grown sharply. According to SBF, enquiries about setting up in the region have increased more than fivefold over the past two years.

Its National Business Survey 2024 also showed stronger expansion plans for the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

SBF said the rising demand points to Dubai’s role as a practical landing point for firms moving into the wider Gulf market and highlights the need for an on-ground presence to support them.

Enterprise Singapore said the new centre complements efforts to deepen economic engagement with partners in the Middle East and create longer-term growth pathways for companies.

To mark the launch, SBF led a business mission covering Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Eighteen delegates from 13 companies across seven sectors took part in the three-day programme, which connected them with local agencies and established corporates to understand market entry requirements and regional business networks.

This article first appeared on Fintech News Singapore. 

Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Middle East, based on image by user13560167 via Freepik