RSA recently organised a networking evening for the contestants of RSA Start-up Business of the Year Award at The Address Downtown Hotel. Providing food for thought to the up and comers were Robert Jones of Coffee Planet and David Harris, Sales and Marketing Director for RSA Insurance.

The start-up business of the year accolade is a part of the upcoming Gulf Capital SMEinfo Awards 2013, organised by MEED Events, which RSA has supported for the past two consecutive years.

“With over 230,000 small and medium-sized companies that contribute more than 40% to the country’s GDP, the UAE SME is the fastest growing sector; in addition to being the most significant part of the country’s ability to rebound from any global crisis. With the support of Government initiatives, this sector will continue to contribute effectively to the country’s growth. Needless to say that the SME sector is of great importance to RSA and we ensure that this is reflected through our associations and business practices,” said David Harris, Sales & Marketing Director, UAE & Bahrain.

“I would like to congratulate all participants and recognise them for their vision to excel. Their intention and action to contest for this award despite all the challenges of a new business is reflective of that vision,” he added.

In 2013, RSA continue to be category sponsors for the ‘RSA Start-up Business of the Year’ award. The winner for this category will demonstrate how they are delivering their company vision and mission whilst showing evidence of effective implementation of their business concept, strong customer communication, and innovative products and services. The event last year saw Saluki Media succeed as the inaugural winners of this category, which is expected to be a tightly contested affair once again this year.

Speaking at the event, Robert Jones, Managing Director for Coffee Planet, said, “As a start-up company setting up in a competitive market more than eight years ago, Coffee Planet has overcome its fair share of challenges to become the UAE’s largest home grown coffee brand. Today, with a 100 strong team and a lot of passion for what we do, we pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality and freshest coffee in the UAE. It has been through the support of companies such as RSA that businesses like Coffee Planet have been able to significantly contribute to the growth of SMEs in the UAE and wider Middle East.”