Page 32 - ETIHAD CREDIT INSURANCE PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2025

10/10/25, 8:57 AM Latest News
partnerships.

Mohammad Sulaiman, Director of Governance, Risk, and Compliance at ECI, represented the company in a
panel session, titled ‘Financing Growth and De-Risking Expansion: How Founders Can Compete Globally

from the UAE’, which addressed how UAE-based founders and early-stage businesses can leverage
financial tools to reduce risk, unlock new markets, and scale operations internationally.

The discussion highlighted ECI’s tailored support for startups and SMEs across sectors such as clean

energy, advanced manufacturing, and industrial services. The discussion centred around the accessibility of
credit insurance solutions, particularly for asset-light businesses and first-time exporters.

Several flexible mechanisms designed to support early-stage exporters were outlined, including invoice
insurance, supply chain finance, and export factoring. ECI’s approach prioritizes the creditworthiness of the

buyer as a key factor, making credit protection more accessible to smaller businesses and new market
entrants. Simplified documentation, lower premium thresholds, and digital onboarding solutions were also
highlighted as part of ECI’s SME-focused offering.

The session further shed light on the Xport Xponential program, a flagship initiative specifically designed to

support early-stage exporters through training, credit protection, and facilitated access to global markets.
Since its launch, the program has supported 10 SMEs based on rigorous evaluation criteria, targeting

expansion into four key markets: Indonesia, India, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, with total potential export
opportunities amounting to AED 31.3 billion over the next four years. Implemented in collaboration with 19

strategic partners, the program has also contributed to unlocking AED 174 million in working capital financing
to support SME growth.

As part of the forum, ECI was presented with a commemorative award in recognition of its strategic
partnership with EDB and its contributions to enabling UAE-based companies to expand confidently in

regional and global markets.

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