Unlocking Opportunities with ABE Certification

In today’s competitive marketplace, visibility matters. Recognition through certification can be a powerful tool to help businesses stand out, connect with opportunities, and be counted in ways that shape the future of economic development. For Arab-owned businesses in the United States, certification by Arab Business Enterprise (ABE) represents a critical step toward gaining that visibility and joining the growing movement of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) entrepreneurs who are finally being recognized.

Why Certification Matters

For decades, the contributions of Arab and MENA-owned businesses in the U.S. have been overlooked, often categorized under the broader “White” demographic. This has obscured their true impact on local economies and communities. Recognition through the new MENA Census category and certification programs like ABE help reshape the economic landscape by highlighting Arab-owned businesses as a distinct and vital part of America’s entrepreneurial engine.

Arabs have always demonstrated remarkable strength in starting, building, and sustaining businesses. Towns, cities, and even entire regions rely on Arab-owned enterprises for their vitality and survival. Yet without formal recognition, these businesses have remained invisible in the metrics that drive public policy, corporate partnerships, and procurement decisions.

Certification ensures Arab-owned companies are not just present but positioned for growth. Through ABE certification, businesses can gain access to new markets, be considered for local, state, and federal projects, and join supplier diversity networks that are increasingly important to corporations and government agencies alike.

Is Certification Right for My Business?

Certification offers many benefits, but it may not be the right option for every company. To help you determine whether ABE certification is a good fit, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is your product or service targeted at corporations, retail, and/or government agencies?

• Does your business have the capacity to provide quality service or products on large contracts?

• Are you willing to share details of your business, including capital investment, tax returns, and compensation records?

• Do you understand that ABE certification is a marketing tool and does not entitle or guarantee your company will receive contracts?

If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, ABE certification could be the tool you need to take your business to the next level.

The Benefits of Being Seen

Once certified, Arab-owned businesses will be tracked as part of the new MENA category. Like other minority-owned and disadvantaged businesses, project costs associated with certified companies will be counted separately, compared at the national and federal level, and recognized for their contributions. This visibility translates into more accurate representation, stronger advocacy, and greater opportunities for growth.

Certification also enhances credibility. Just as other minority certifications (such as those for Black-, Latino-, Asian-, and women-owned businesses) have opened doors to billions of dollars in contracts and supplier partnerships, ABE certification positions Arab-owned businesses to be considered on equal footing. It makes companies more attractive to corporations seeking diverse suppliers, to government agencies with inclusion targets, and to communities looking for trusted partners.

What’s next?

Recognition via census data is only the starting block. Certification is the next step that unlocks eligibility and visibility. The real leaps to access contracts, capital, and growth depend on businesses harnessing that visibility to compete, connect, and advocate.

Through ABE certification, Arab-owned businesses will gain fair representation and enhanced opportunities. Certification not only facilitates access to projects but also ensures Arab entrepreneurs are fully recognized as part of America’s diverse and dynamic business ecosystem. For business owners ready to grow, expand, and be seen, ABE certification may be the key to unlocking that future.