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Researchers and economists taking part in the 60^th Annual International Council for Small Businesses World Conference (ICSB 2015) in Dubai, organized by the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) and held in the Dubai World Trade Center, praised the strength, durability and flexibility of the UAE economy. They further praised the UAE leadership’s vision in seeking sustainable economic development in order to support the development of capital and small to medium-sized enterprises. They commended the organization of the 60^th ICSB Conference which was organized by the College of Business and Economics at UAEU.

The conference, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, hosted nearly 500 academics, researchers, educators and other practitioners representing 55 countries and comprising of 20 official government delegations. There were 200 working papers presented during 27 workshops and 6 key sessions. The participants discussed topics concerning small enterprises and entrepreneurship and the methods adopted by industrialized countries, institutions and major companies to support small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Professor Mohamed Albaili, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UAEU, said that the university’s management saw this conference as being in line with strategies that support cooperation and teamwork in order to create an entrepreneurial environment where learning, innovation, initiative, and excellence are all prioritized. Therefore, this four day conference offered economic solutions and mechanisms to enhance communication and share best practice at the level of small and medium-sized enterprises in order to improve entrepreneurship and support its growth.

Professor Geralyn McClure Franklin, Dean of the College of Business and Economics at UAEU, said that hosting this conference displayed confidence in the programs and courses offered by the college, as well as attesting to the college’s high rank and academic reputation. The conference helped in transferring ideas and sharing the views of the participants in order to come up with solutions that support small and medium-sized enterprises under the umbrella of diversifying the UAE economy. Additionally, such conferences engage the students, whether from the College of Business and Economics or from other international colleges present at the conference.

The organizing committee arranged various activities for the participants in order to inform them of Dubai’s economic experience and its global vision. These activities included tours of different areas of the Emirate.