Page 208 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - APRIL 2025 (Part 2)

4/15/25, 4:50 PM EGA launches season three of Ramp-Up to foster the next generation of UAE entrepreneurs
H.E. Alia bint Abdulla Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, said: “The Ministry of Economy’s
continued partnership with EGA embodies the true essence of collaborative symbiosis. In the past, several Ramp Up
finalists have made it to the UAE’s Future 100 companies list and similarly, several Future 100 companies have been
participants in Ramp Up Program. This reciprocal growth truly demonstrates the strength and value of our collaboration.
We are determined to keep this journey going, to scale even greater heights in terms of entrepreneurship and SMEs
development in the UAE, and become a leading global model in this regard.”

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “Entrepreneurship is key to
economic diversification and long-term growth. The goal of EGA Ramp-Up is to support innovative businesses to unlock
their growth potential and maximise their positive impact on the community and the environment. I look forward to seeing
this year’s impactful start-ups, with some potentially becoming suppliers to EGA.”

H.E. Yasser Al Gergawi, the Director General of Sandooq Al Watan concerning the EGA Ramp- Up program, said:
'Empowering Emirati entrepreneurs is essential to our nation's growth and prosperity. Through initiatives like the Emirates
Global Aluminium Ramp-Up program, we help provide the tools and support necessary for our youth to transform their
innovative ideas into impactful businesses, reinforcing our commitment to a sustainable and diversified economy.”

Naim Yazbeck, General Manager of Microsoft UAE, said: 'At Microsoft, we are committed to empowering every person

and organization on the planet to achieve more. Our collaboration with Emirates Global Aluminium for the EGA Ramp-Up
programme underscores the vital role of entrepreneurship in driving economic growth and innovation. By supporting these
ambitious entrepreneurs, we aim to foster a culture of creativity and technological advancement that aligns with the UAE's
vision for a diversified and sustainable economy.'

Kevin Holliday, Managing Director of C3, said: “We are proud to continue our partnership with EGA for the third season
of EGA Ramp-Up. EGA’s proactive support and steadfast commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in the
UAE set a benchmark for corporate engagement. Over the past two seasons, we have witnessed firsthand how strategic
collaboration can drive impactful, sustainable solutions - empowering founders to contribute to building in-country value
across key sectors of the UAE economy.”

Applications for EGA Ramp-Up season three are now open and will close on 11 May 2025.

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