Page 61 - KFED PR REPORT - SEPTEMBER 2025

9/22/25, 2:50 PM UAE launches campaign to become 'start-up capital of the world' | The National
The government is looking to attract Emirati SMEs to five main sectors including food and food
processing to bolster its food security strategy, tourism and hospitality that comprise 13 per cent of its
GDP, financial services with a focus on FinTech, the space economy and data analytics, the minister
said.

The campaign aims to attract and train entrepreneurs, make the UAE an attractive destination for
talent and SMEs and promote the success stories of Emiratis who have contributed to raising

awareness about the importance of entrepreneurship.

“We believe that the future is forged by our young entrepreneurs, therefore we are seeking to
empower nationals to create new economic opportunities and start their own businesses, instead of

just searching for a job,” the minister said during the press conference.

SMEs are a key pillar for economic growth in the UAE, representing about 94 per cent of all

businesses and employ about 86 per cent of the private sector workforce, according to the Khalifa
Fund for Enterprise Development.

The SMEs sector contributes 63.5 per cent to the non-oil GDP of the UAE, making it a vital growth
engine for the economy.

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