Page 39 - MOE ENGLISH PR - MAY 2024

Press Release

UAE participates in VivaTech 2024 in France supporting growth &

expansion of Emirati SMEs in foreign markets

H.E. Al Saleh: Exhibition serves as a new milestone in promoting international
collaboration and exchange of expertise in entrepreneurship and SMEs sector

Abu Dhabi, May 27, 2024:

A UAE delegation led by H.E. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of
Economy, participated in VivaTech 2024 for entrepreneurship and technology, which was recently
held in Paris. The national delegation’s participation in the leading global event was aimed at
enabling national SMEs to attract new investments and showcase their products and services at the
exhibition’s UAE pavilion, thus supporting their business growth and expansion.

The delegation members included officials from 10 government entities, notably H.E. Abdulaziz
Al Nuaimi, Assistant Undersecretary for Entrepreneurship and the Economic Affairs Regulatory
Sector, Najla Ahmed Al Midfa, CEO of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa,) H.E. Asma Al
Fahim. Chairwoman of Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council, Fatima Helal Al Blooshi, Director of
Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council, alongside more than 27 Emirati entrepreneurs. The
delegation’s participation in the event forms part of ‘The Entrepreneurial Nation’ initiative
launched by the Ministry in 2021 and the ‘National Programme for Small and Medium
Enterprises.’

H.E. Al Saleh underlined that the UAE and France share historical relations and a comprehensive
strategic partnership in all fields, especially economy and trade, which continue to grow with the
support of both leaderships. H.E. noted that the UAE delegation’s participation in VivaTech this
year represents a new milestone in the economic relations between the two countries in the
entrepreneurship and SMEs sector, especially since the Ministry of Economy is participating in
this key event for the first time.

The Undersecretary added: “The Ministry attaches great importance to providing all forms of
support to Emirati entrepreneurs, offering them an environment conducive to the growth of their
businesses, enabling them to attract investments and promote their products and services in foreign
markets. We believe that entrepreneurship is key to economic growth and the UAE’s
competitiveness at regional and global levels. Capitalizing on the exhibition’s platform, we are
keen to open up new markets for UAE SMEs and enhance their connectivity and dialogue with a

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