Qashio and Dubai Chambers Launch AED 10M Relief Initiative for SMEs

Qashio, the Dubai-headquartered spend management platform, has rolled out a new initiative aimed squarely at small and medium-sized businesses in the emirate, and it’s doing so in collaboration with Dubai Chambers. The programme, called “Qashio For You”, comes at a time when many SMEs are feeling the squeeze from tighter margins and cautious spending.

Set to run until the end of June 2026, the initiative offers more than AED 10 million in financial relief and welcome bonuses to Dubai-based companies. It’s a sizeable commitment, particularly when you consider that SMEs make up more than 95% of all companies in the UAE and play a major role in employment and GDP. In other words, when SMEs catch a cold, the wider economy tends to sneeze.

The idea behind “Qashio For You” is fairly straightforward: ease operational and cash flow pressures with practical tools rather than fluffy promises. Eligible businesses can access Qashio’s platform without set-up fees and with deferred payments if needed, a move designed to help with short-term liquidity. Depending on the plan selected, companies may also receive up to 75,000 Qashio Points. These can be converted into Emirates Skywards Miles or Jumeirah ONE points, or redeemed as uncapped cashback to inject funds back into the business without delay.

That flexibility matters. I’ve lost count of how many founders across the MENA region have told us at Arageek that rewards schemes often feel like a bit of a faff, nice in theory, but not always useful when rent and salaries are due. Cashback you can actually use straight away? That’s spot on.

Alongside the financial perks, participating SMEs will have access to educational webinars and resources focused on cost control, financial resilience and navigating market uncertainty. A dedicated community channel is also in the works, aimed at encouraging knowledge-sharing and ongoing engagement among members. And believe it or not, sometimes these peer conversations end up being the most valuable part of such schemes.

Armin Moradi, Founder and CEO of Qashio, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to Dubai’s business community. He noted that in challenging conditions, access to liquidity, control and tangible rewards can make a measurable difference in how companies operate and emerge stronger “on the otherside”. By combining financial tools with incentives, he explained, the goal is to deliver immediate and practical value rather than just long-term promises.

Qashio has positioned itself as a homegrown player, keeping its operations and software development rooted in Dubai rather than outsourcing elsewhere. Over the past year, it has expanded its footprint with a new office in Abu Dhabi, grown its UAE team to more than 100 employees, and entered Saudi Arabia through the acquisition of Sanad Cash. The company also enhanced its Qashio Points loyalty programme, adding over 10 airline partners and major hotel groups, and launched “Qashio for Travel”, a platform tailored for UAE-based travel agencies and online travel operators dealing with high FX costs and fraud risks.

On the flip side, some may argue that incentives alone can’t solve deeper structural challenges facing SMEs, from rising operational costs to global volatility. I reckon that’s fair. But targeted relief, combined with financial management tools, can at least steady the ship. And for many founders, that breathing space is worth its weight in gold… well, almost.

As Dubai continues to double down on its ambition to be a global entrepreneurship hub, collaborations between private sector players like Qashio and institutions such as Dubai Chambers signal a more ecosystem-driven approach. Not just talk, but tangible support. For startups and SMEs trying to keep the lights on and scale at the same time, that could make all the difference, or at least give them a fighting chance.

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