Page 176 - KHALIFA FUND PR REPORT - JULY 2025

7/3/25, 11:30 AM Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development's Abu Dhabi SME Champions Program facilitates 650+ deals worth AED672m in 2024
The programme features awareness initiatives to educate SMEs on the benefits of forging strategic alliances with
both government and private sector entities. It also supports efforts to classify companies, develop their skills and
strengthen collaboration and partnership pathways through relevant projects. Micro-enterprises now represent over
half of the registered companies, with approximately 20 per cent of them being eligible for deals with leading
institutions across both public and private sectors.

H.E. Mouza Al Nasri, CEO of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said: “The Abu Dhabi SME Champions
Program acts as a bridge connecting SMEs in Abu Dhabi with leading institutions and government entities. This helps
enhance the productivity and innovation within this vital business category, which is a cornerstone of the national
economy. SMEs further play a pivotal role in catalysing Abu Dhabi's sustainable growth, aligning with the UAE's
broader vision for economic development.

“Led by Khalifa Fund's ongoing efforts to promote entrepreneurship, the programme has garnered significant
attention from Emirati entrepreneurs over the past two years, by paving the way for collaborations with leading
institutions. The programme has conducted 13 bi-monthly training sessions to date, in collaboration with at least nine
partners, focusing on skill development for SMEs to meet market demands. This is a remarkable milestone in building
a sustainable and innovation-based economy, in line with the UAE's aspirations to become a leading knowledge-
based and competitive economy.'

The programme's key participants include the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, Department of
Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi, Department of Finance, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Family Development
Foundation, Early Childhood Authority, AD Ports Group, Miral Group, E&, Aldar Properties, Etihad Airways,
EMSTEEL Group, Emirates Development Bank, Agthia Group, ADGM, Mubadala, Masdar City, Industrial Capital
Group (ICG), and United Copper Rods LLC (UCR), among others.

https://www.godubai.com/citylife/press_release_page.asp?PR=186194 2/2