Dubai: Quiqup, a UAE-based e-commerce logistics provider, has introduced "Shop Local", an initiative aimed at helping consumers discover and support local businesses across the UAE. This platform is designed to give small and medium enterprises (SMEs) greater visibility and easier access to customers through a dedicated online presence.
According to Emirates News Agency, 'Shop Local' aggregates UAE-based brands on a single platform, simplifying the process for consumers to browse, discover, and purchase from local businesses that might otherwise struggle to gain recognition in a crowded digital marketplace. The platform is accessible to small and local businesses across the UAE, providing a practical channel for building brand awareness, generating sales, and supporting long-term growth.
Fatima Yousif Alnaqbi, Acting Assistant Under-Secretary for the Support Services Sector at the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry's representative at MBRIF, emphasized the importance of this initiative. She stated, "Enabling innovative, high-potential businesses to grow is central to building a stronger and more future-ready economy. When companies are supported at the right stage, they are better positioned to scale, contribute more meaningfully to the market, and create wider value across the business ecosystem."
The launch of Shop Local comes at a critical time when supporting local businesses is increasingly important. It embodies growing momentum around initiatives that help SMEs strengthen their presence and continue contributing to the wider economy. Bassel El Koussa, CEO of Quiqup, highlighted the role of local businesses in the UAE's economy, stating, "Small and local businesses are a vital part of the UAE's economy, and supporting them is one of the most meaningful ways to contribute to the wider community."
With 190 brand submissions already received, Quiqup is actively inviting more UAE-based businesses to join the platform, aiming to support at least 250 businesses through Shop Local in the coming weeks. Following this launch, Quiqup is planning to roll out Source Local, an initiative designed to generate business leads for local suppliers and manufacturers, replicating the Shop Local format to increase visibility for these entities and link them with potential customers.
