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Young Dubai businessman behind unique SDaaS for SMEs

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A Dubai-bred young serial entrepreneur is disrupting the local Software as a Service market with a unique AI-driven platform for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, launched at the start of the year.

Called Zoftware, it is “Software Democratisation as a Service, where software products of the people (companies) are recommended by our people (the team), for the people (B2B clients) for any problems they face in their businesses,” says Aayushman Dalmia, 29.

Within the first quarter of operations, Zoftware already has arrangements with a growing list of over 6,000 companies – including the Microsoft and Zoho suites, Google, Adobe and others.

“You can find a packed suite of software just with a generic search, but do you require everything in that or can you customize it? Maybe not. Zoftware is free for the customers while we work with them to understand their needs and even do the work for them in customising solutions from the software companies. Consider us as the Zomato or Tripadvisor for the software industry.

“Avoiding wastage of resources by reducing the gap between the capability knowledge of any software’s offerings and solving the problems of the end users is core to Zoftware’s mission,” says Dalmia, who came up with the idea when he could not find such a solution while searching for his needs himself.

“Zoftware is about marrying software with the best of customer experience. We make it easy for customers to navigate the ocean of software to find the right tools for their business and purpose. We offer deep insights on software and match organisations to the right product, be it for accounting, customer relationship management (CRM), project management, IT, payroll and many more,” says Dalmia, confident his idea will revolutionise the convenience of running a business.

Aayushman Dalmia set up Zoftware after getting stuck with the wrong software as a choice for his family business. Supplied

Zoftware is a unique startup offering a choice of business tools in software with a personalised touch, using Open AI’s ChatGPT, for SME owners and companies. There are plans to take this to India, a huge market for SaaS providers and consumers.

“We have raised 500,000 dollars as a convertible note. And there are plans to raise another $1.5 million in the next round,” he says. “We are aiming for a revenue of $1.5 million by end of 2023.”

The rise of ChatGPT has only become an enabler for the Zoftware team. “Our technical analysts have been nimble to stay ahead on the transformation curve. We are in the process of setting up an AI bot with whom people can converse with, we understand what the customers want from the platform and give them the relevant output data while connecting with the vendors.

“If they want, we can also onboard it for them. With ChatGPT, it can give you out the names, but it cannot do comparisons and the prices that are out there. It cannot help you come to a decision, while we can help find the best value for the clients.

“According to studies, 75 percent of businesses fail in their software implementation. We want to make it to zero, because it is a waste of capital and resources such as time, effort and money. In the SME section, that is not something one can afford. We want to reduce the wastage cycle as much as possible. And we want to build the trust of our customers.”

Zoftware is Dalmia’s latest fruit of labour, coming from his own personal experiences when he saw a gap in the market. He set up Yalla Referral, a referral and benefits platform, is co-founder of an online diamond-purchasing platform Carat Finder and Director of Growth and Innovation at Data Direct Group.

“I remember, in 2018, when I wanted to implement CRM for my sales team, I ended up putting so much effort and money only to realise a year later that I had a complex setup which wasn’t needed at all. Several dollars went in waste apart from the time and effort. Many startups and SMEs may not be able to come out of the wrong direction taken.”

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Dubai’s unified car rental contract explained: What residents and tourists must know

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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is reinforcing stricter rules for car rentals across the emirate, and it’s good news for both residents and tourists.

At the heart of this move is a mandatory unified contract that all rental companies must follow. This contract standardises how rental agreements work, clearly laying out the rights and responsibilities of both renters and rental offices in a transparent way.

“We have also organised a series of awareness workshops for companies operating in the car rental sector across the emirate to familiarise them with the contract’s provisions, obligations, and implementation procedures,” said Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of the Licensing Agency at RTA.

What this means for drivers

  • Same rules everywhere
    Whether you rent from a big brand or a small office, the same contract applies across Dubai, no more confusing or inconsistent terms.
  • Stronger consumer protection
    The contract ensures:
    • No hidden fees (like surprise toll charges)
    • No unfair charges during accident repairs
    • Mandatory refund of your security deposit within a set timeframe
  • Digital and secure process
    Rentals are handled through the Transport Activities Rental System (TARS), with:
    • Identity verification
    • OTP-based digital signatures
    • Secure, automated contracts
  • Proof of vehicle condition
    Photos are taken at pickup and return, protecting you from disputes over damage.
  • Better awareness for renters
    The system is designed to reduce complaints and help users, especially tourists, fully understand their rights before signing.

This move aligns with Dubai’s push to enhance trust and transparency in services, reinforcing its reputation as a well-regulated, customer-friendly destination.

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UAE denies claims of restrictions on investor funds, reaffirms open economy policy

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The UAE has firmly dismissed reports circulating on social media that suggest restrictions on investor funds, calling the claims inaccurate and misleading.

Officials clarified that there are no limits on the movement of capital or on foreign investors’ ability to manage and transfer their money. Authorities stressed that the country remains committed to maintaining an open, business-friendly environment aligned with international standards.

Commitment to investor confidence

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism reiterated that the UAE continues to support the free flow of capital, a key pillar in attracting global investment and ensuring long-term economic stability.

Officials emphasised that policies remain unchanged, reinforcing the country’s reputation as a reliable and transparent destination for businesses and investors.

Dubai reaffirms its position

In a statement shared on X, the Dubai Media Office also rejected the circulating claims, describing them as false. It highlighted that Dubai continues to stand as a leading global hub for business and investment, supported by a strong and resilient economy.

Call for accurate information

Authorities have urged the public and media outlets to rely on official sources when seeking information, warning against the spread of unverified claims online.

The clarification comes as the UAE contåinues to strengthen its position as a global financial and investment centre, built on openness, stability, and investor confidence.

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How UAE’s new banking plan will support businesses and individuals

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The Central Bank of the UAE has rolled out a new financial support package designed to keep banks strong and ensure they continue supporting and safeguarding the broader economy amid global and regional uncertainty.

The package was endorsed during a high-level board meeting chaired by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, underscoring the UAE leadership’s proactive approach to maintaining economic stability.

Built around five key pillars, the initiative is designed to provide banks with greater liquidity, enhanced flexibility, and temporary regulatory relief, ensuring they can continue to support businesses and individuals during uncertain times.

Under the new measures, banks will gain expanded access to liquidity, including the ability to utilise reserve balances and secure term funding in both dirhams and US dollars. This step is expected to keep credit flowing across key sectors of the economy.

The Central Bank has also introduced temporary easing of liquidity and funding requirements, giving financial institutions more room to continue lending. Capital buffer requirements will be relaxed as well, allowing banks to deploy excess capital to support economic activity.

Additionally, new provisions will offer greater flexibility in managing credit risk, including delaying the classification of certain loans affected by current market conditions—providing relief to borrowers facing temporary challenges.

Authorities emphasised that banks are expected to maintain lending and continue supporting customers as part of the UAE’s broader economic response strategy.

Despite global pressures, the UAE’s financial system has shown strong resilience. During its meeting, the Board confirmed that current market conditions have had no significant impact on the health of the banking sector or the efficiency of payment systems.

The Central Bank also highlighted the country’s robust financial position, with foreign exchange reserves exceeding AED 1 trillion and a strong monetary base. The UAE’s banking sector, valued at over AED 5.4 trillion, continues to demonstrate solid fundamentals.

With liquidity levels remaining high and reserves strong, the CBUAE reaffirmed its readiness to take further action if needed to protect financial stability and sustain economic growth.

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