George Berbari receives the award from H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Economic Sector Committee and the Chairman of Dubai Supreme Council of Energy

UAE-based MEP consultancy firm, DC PRO Engineering, which specialises in District Cooling, co-generation, tri-generation and sustainability in Green Building MEP designs, has been awarded an A+ grade in The SME Rate Framework programme by Dubai SME, the division set up by the Dubai Department of Economic Development to help grow Small to Medium Enterprises in the emirate.

The award is based on five key pillars, including Business Performance (Operational Analysis and Financial Analysis), Corporate Governance and Excellence, Innovation, International Expansion, and Corporate Social Responsibility. 

The SME Rate Framework, the first rating system of its kind in the UAE, was designed and implemented to stimulate the growth of the SME sector and highlight the key role it plays in the UAE economy.

George Berbari, CEO of DC PRO Engineering, said: “The UAE’s diversification is vital for the growth as the country is shifting its economy towards non-oil sources and focusing on renewables. We are proud to receive this prestigious award. Having started the company more than a decade ago we feel we have a responsibility to be a key player in the SME sector.

“Our key message in DC PRO Engineering is to push towards renewable technologies and sustainability, in line with the Dubai 2021 Vision. SMEs are vital for the success of the 2021 Vision, and we are happy to be contributor in the plan.”

Seven companies received the A+ grade in The SME Rate Framework programme, including three firms that are fully owned by UAE nationals. DC PRO Engineering was one of four companies founded by non-nationals to receive the top rating. 

The Dubai 2021 Vision sets out a plan to increase the SMEs’ contribution to GDP. SMEs represent almost 94% of the total number of operational companies in Dubai, with over 40,000 SMEs contributing 45% to the emirate’s GDP, a figure that is expected to increase to 50% by 2021.