Local SMEs find their sweet spot at 20th edition of Global Village

Innovative food concepts are carving a niche this season as Global Village partners with Dubai SME to offer budding young Emiratis the opportunity to showcase their entrepreneurial skill.

s a leading home grown brand, Global Village has enjoyed a unique positioning over the years, offering small and medium-sized local enterprises a chance to showcase their products to visitors from all across the UAE, the GCC and beyond.

This year is no different, with Global Village offering local entrepreneurs the chance to showcase innovative food concepts through a strategic partnership with Dubai SME. 

The partnership offers over 30 kiosks the chance to operate at Global Village at a discounted rate of 50%. The objective is to create a platform for budding entrepreneurs and to encourage innovation in business.

Some of the innovative food concepts that have benefited from this initiative are local home grown brands – Sun Churros, Balqees, Hugs and Fnyal Sweets. Headed by young, energetic and high motivated Emiratis with a passion for food, the kiosks have been performing very successfully and have a constant stream of customers.

Hassan Al Ajami, owner of Sun Churros, who sells between 30-40 kilos of churros a day said: “Churros are very popular at any entertainment destination and especially at Global Village where people are out and about with family and friends and are always looking for sweets and snacks. We find that the Nutella churros are the most popular with customers. The discount that is offered to entrepreneurs is very beneficial and we are very grateful to the government for supporting us.”

Just next to Sun Churros is a gem if you are looking for what is arguably some of the best kunafa in town. Balqees Kunafa sells between 400-500 kunafa a day and the quality and taste make it an absolute must try. A key success factor for them is that Balqees ensures that the kunafa it sells is fresh and the product itself has a shelf live of just seven days.

Adil Ali Mohammed, owner of Balqees Kunafa says: “The kunafa with nutella and lotus are the most popular. If you taste it, you will quickly discover that it is fresh and soft and unlike that sold in most other places. This is my first time at Global Village and the response has been excellent – people love it. Global Village is a great opportunity to encourage local entrepreneurship and we are very happy to be here.”

Balqees Kunafa also owns the first kunafa factory in the UAE and supplies the product to leading restaurants across the UAE. Currently, Balqees has an outlet in Sharjah, but Adil Ali has plans for a presence in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

‘Fnyal Sweets’ is another new food concept and as the name suggests, the sweet is an assortment of chocolates, biscuit and cream shaped like a traditional cup or fnyal.

Sisters Hanan Al Hinyami and Taiba Al Hinyami, who own Fnyal Sweets say they thought of the idea as a locally inspired sweet that could be gifted to close family and friends.

Says Hanan: “We thought it would be a very original idea to make a sweet and shape it like a traditional fnyal. Customers can buy five pieces in a box and it comes along with a free fnyal. The whole box costs AED 60 and is the perfect gift for family and friends. The sweets can be eaten either hot or cold. This is our first year at Global Village and we are very grateful to the government for encouraging SMEs – we would not have been able to showcase our products here without their support.”

Another innovative sister-run venture that has made its debut at Global Village this year is Hugs that serves delicious hot chocolate and original milkshakes – including lotus, oreo and rose. 

The crowds that continuously make their way to the counter to buy a steaming cup of hot chocolate or an iced milk shake are always delighted after their first sip.

Dubai-based Fatheya Al Sharif who owns Hugs along with her sister Fayeqa Al Sharif says there is magic in every sip. The idea originated from her own travels to famous international fairs like the Winter Wonderland in London and the US which always had a traditional milk shake stand.

“My sister and I realised that there was no outstanding place that sold milk shakes in Dubai. The concept is so popular around the rest of the world but is not so common in Dubai. We started out with just hot chocolate but evolved into milk shakes.”

The sisters are exploring the idea of setting up a shop in Dubai and have been scouting for locations across the emirate.

Global Village and Dubai SME have been working closely for many years to promote the talents of young and innovative Emiratis, who are looking for opportunities to grow their businesses and engage with a broader client base across the UAE and the GCC.