Page 221 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - APRIL 2025 (Part 2)

4/15/25, 4:51 PM EGA launches season three of Ramp-Up to foster the next generation of UAE entrepreneurs
EGA will work with Microsoft UAE to power season three of EGA Ramp-Up through capacity-building workshops
and mentorship focused on technology-enabled strategy development and scaling.

EGA considers Ramp-Up participants' potential as suppliers to further increase local procurement and support the
growth of promising local businesses. In 2024, EGA announced a partnership with EGA Ramp-Up season one
finalist Nadeera to launch an innovative recycling solution in communities near the company's Jebel Ali plant.

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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