Page 19 - KHALIFA FUND PR REPORT - JULY 2025

PRESS RELEASE

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.