Page 455 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025 Part 2

Global agreements, special platforms: How UAE helps

entrepreneurs turn ideas into businesses

The UAE now has around 1.2 million trade licences, a proof of its thriving business environment
Published: Sat 1 Feb 2025, 11:10 PM

Updated: Sun 2 Feb 2025, 7:26 PM

• By

• SM Ayaz Zakir

The UAE is taking major steps to strengthen its entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a focus on
business-friendly policies, market access, and global expansion.

Speaking at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival on Saturday on February 1, Alia bint Abdullah Al
Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, highlighted the country's commitment to fostering
businesses across all sectors.
She revealed that the UAE now has around 1.2 million trade licences, a proof of its thriving business
environment.

Looking ahead to the next decade, Al Mazrouei highlighted that entrepreneurship will be a key driver
of the UAE's economy, supported by digitisation, new economic sectors, and stronger international
partnerships.

Unifying the UAE's entrepreneurial landscape
To streamline business operations and support startups, the UAE launched several initiatives,
including 'Riyada', a platform that means 'pioneering' in Arabic.

“Apart from Riyada, we are creating a unified platform connecting all emirates, making it easier for
the public and private sectors to collaborate,” she said. “The initiative will help entrepreneurs
overcome challenges by providing access to markets, financing opportunities, and key industry
events,” said Al Mazrouei.

The UAE is also focusing on young entrepreneurs, encouraging them to explore business ownership
rather than relying solely on employment. “We have launched a platform dedicated to guiding
young people on how they can start their own businesses instead of depending on jobs,” Al
Mazrouei added.
Global expansion

The UAE is not just enhancing its local business environment, but also expanding opportunities for
its entrepreneurs on the global stage. Al Mazrouei said that 26 UAE entrepreneurs participated in

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/global-agreements-special-platforms-how-uae-helps-
entrepreneurs-turn-ideas-into-businesses