MRA Grant for Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Launch Your Business in the Middle East with Confidence

Dubai, the commercial hub of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is a global city known for innovation, luxury, and international business. Strategically positioned between Europe, Asia, and Africa, Dubai provides unparalleled access to fast-growing markets in the Middle East and beyond. For Singapore SMEs looking to internationalise, Dubai offers attractive incentives, world-class infrastructure, and a pro-business government.

To support this expansion, Enterprise Singapore offers the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant for Dubai, a co-funding scheme that helps Singapore-based SMEs reduce the cost of entering the UAE market.

This guide outlines how the MRA Grant Dubai works and how your business can leverage it to enter one of the world’s most dynamic business ecosystems.

Why Expand into Dubai?

Dubai is one of the top choices for global expansion due to its world-class facilities, economic diversification, and regulatory transparency. Here’s why Singapore SMEs should seriously consider Dubai as a growth market:

1. Gateway to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

With easy access to over 1.5 billion people across the MENA region, Dubai serves as a strategic hub for logistics, trade, and service delivery.

2. Business-Friendly Environment

Dubai offers tax-free zones, fast company setup, and strong protection for foreign investors. The UAE ranked among the top countries globally for ease of doing business.

3. Rapid Growth in Digital, Retail, and F&B Sectors

Digitalisation, online retail, and high-end F&B are booming in the region. Dubai’s population of professionals and affluent consumers supports high demand for premium goods and services.

4. Strong Bilateral Ties with Singapore

Singapore and the UAE share a robust trade and diplomatic relationship. Singapore companies enjoy a positive reputation in the Gulf region for professionalism, innovation, and reliability.

What is the MRA Grant for Dubai?

The Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant for Dubai is a support scheme by Enterprise Singapore designed to help SMEs reduce the cost of expanding into new overseas markets.

For Dubai, the grant offers up to 50% funding for eligible activities, capped at S$100,000 per new market per fiscal year. This makes entering a high-cost market like the UAE more accessible to smaller companies with big ambitions.

Who is Eligible for the MRA Grant Dubai?

To qualify for the MRA Grant for Dubai, companies must meet the following criteria:

• Registered and operating in Singapore

• At least 30% local shareholding

• Group annual turnover of less than S$100 million OR fewer than 200 employees

• No prior MRA claims for Dubai in the same fiscal year

Note: The grant must be approved before any activity is carried out. Retroactive claims are not allowed.

What Activities Are Covered Under the MRA Grant for Dubai?

The MRA Grant for Dubai supports a range of market entry activities grouped into three key categories:

1. Overseas Market Promotion

• Participating in exhibitions or trade fairs in Dubai (e.g., GITEX, Gulfood, Beautyworld Middle East)

• Digital marketing targeted at UAE consumers (e.g., Google Ads, Instagram, LinkedIn)

• Hiring PR agencies to increase brand visibility in the UAE

2. Overseas Business Development

• Business matching with local distributors, franchisees, or resellers

• Appointment setting with potential corporate clients or partners

• Engaging local consultants for market intelligence or feasibility studies

3. Overseas Market Set-Up

• Legal, tax, and regulatory advisory for establishing a company or branch in Dubai or free zones (e.g., DMCC, DIFC)

• IP registration with the UAE Ministry of Economy

• Recruitment advisory and employment law compliance
  

MRA Grant Dubai Funding Caps by Activity Category

To optimise grant usage, the S$100,000 cap is distributed across three categories:

Activity Category	Maximum Support Amount
Market Promotion	Up to S$20,000
Business Development	Up to S$50,000
Market Set-Up	Up to S$30,000

SMEs should allocate budgets carefully within each category to maximise claimable support.

How to Apply for the MRA Grant for Dubai

Here’s how you can access MRA Grant funding for your Dubai expansion:

Step 1: Pre-Application Preparation

• Confirm your eligibility

• Identify service providers or vendors (some activities require ESG-approved consultants)

• Gather quotations and define a clear project scope

Step 2: Submit Application via Business Grants Portal (BGP)

• Log in to Business Grants Portal using your CorpPass

• Choose “Market Readiness Assistance Grant” and select “United Arab Emirates (Dubai)” as the target market

• Complete the application and upload all supporting documentation

Step 3: Wait for Enterprise Singapore Approval

• Start work only after receiving approval

• Approved activities will receive an official Letter of Offer

Step 4: Execute the Activities

• Carry out the project as planned and approved

• Maintain complete documentation: invoices, media outputs, reports, and proof of payments

Step 5: Submit a Claim for Reimbursement

• After completion, log back into BGP to submit your claim

• Attach all deliverables and supporting evidence for Enterprise Singapore to process your claim
  

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To ensure a smooth application and claims process, avoid the following:

• Starting before grant approval – You cannot claim for pre-approval activities

• Missing documents – All invoices, deliverables, and proof of execution must be submitted

• Using unqualified vendors – For business matching or consulting, check if vendors must be ESG-recognised

• Overspending in a category – Know the caps for each type of activity
  

Real-World Examples: MRA Grant Dubai in Action

Case Study 1: Singapore F&B Brand Enters Dubai

A high-end Singaporean dessert brand used the MRA Grant to exhibit at Gulfood, engage a local PR agency, and consult on food import licensing. This led to a distribution agreement with a luxury food retailer in Dubai.

Case Study 2: Tech Company Launches Fintech Platform

A SaaS startup used the grant to attend GITEX Global, hire a local UAE business consultant, and conduct a feasibility study on licensing its payment solution in the Middle East.

Case Study 3: Education Provider Sets Up Dubai Campus

An executive education firm received MRA support for incorporating in Dubai Knowledge Park, hiring HR consultants, and launching a targeted Google and LinkedIn campaign for their executive MBA programme.

These examples highlight the diversity of expansion strategies the MRA Grant Dubai can support.

Why Work with a Consultant for Dubai Expansion?

The UAE market is business-friendly but comes with distinct regulatory, cultural, and logistical nuances. A consultant familiar with both the UAE and the MRA process can help you:

• Customise your expansion strategy for Dubai’s unique business environment

• Ensure documentation and reporting compliance

• Identify the right local vendors and strategic partners

• Streamline your grant application and post-activity claims

This is especially helpful for SMEs new to the Middle East or operating in regulated industries.

Best-Fit Industries for Singapore SMEs in Dubai

Several industries are particularly well-suited to expand into Dubai with MRA support:

• Luxury Lifestyle & Retail – The high-income population values premium and exclusive offerings

• F&B & Gourmet – International dining concepts and halal-certified products are in demand

• Fintech & SaaS – Digital banking, logistics software, and compliance tech are rapidly growing sectors

• Education & Training – Demand for international education and upskilling programmes is strong

• Healthcare & Wellness – Medical tourism and wellness services are growing industries

Understanding the market's appetite and regulations is key to finding success in Dubai.

Conclusion: Use the MRA Grant for Dubai to Expand with Confidence

The MRA Grant for Dubai is your gateway to one of the most cosmopolitan and business-friendly cities in the world. With up to S$100,000 in co-funding support, Singapore SMEs can offset costs related to marketing, partner acquisition, and operations setup in a premium global market.

Whether you’re targeting UAE’s consumers, partnering with logistics or tech firms, or setting up a physical footprint in the Gulf region, the MRA Grant Dubai equips you with the financial and strategic head start you need.