Page 147 - KHALIFA FUND PR REPORT MAY 2025

SMEs.

“The fund offers loans with flexible terms and grace periods, tailored to SMEs' needs,” said Zayed Al
Khzaimi, Senior Business Counsellor at Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, in an interview
with Aletihad.

“We also run the SME Finance Facilitator Programme, connecting entrepreneurs with banks and
enabling joint credit assessments to improve access to financing. So far, we have supported over
1,200 Emiratis with more than Dh1.3 billion, driving SME sustainability across the UAE.”

This support, he explained, is aligned closely with national goals, focusing on priority sectors like
manufacturing, AgriTech, green energy, and healthcare.

“Through partnerships with key entities, we encourage innovation, empower local talent, and
accelerate prototype development.”

Acknowledging financing gaps as one of the main barriers for SMEs, Al Khzaimi said the fund offers
“the SME Finance Facilitator to help businesses navigate the banking system, prove their
creditworthiness, and access funding”.

KFED’s support goes beyond a simple investment, Al Khzaimi added. Training, mentorship, and
networking opportunities all contribute to empowering SMEs.

“We also support alignment with key standards like ICV, enabling SMEs to enter broader supply
chains and secure public contracts,” he said.

“Overall, we aim to transform SMEs into globally competitive players—not just local contributors;
by boosting their efficiency and entrepreneurial capabilities.”

Support from Sheraa

Another key supporter of SMEs is Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa).

Sara Abdelaziz Al Nuaimi, CEO of Sheraa, stressed the organisation’s unwavering commitment to
industrial innovation and entrepreneurship in the UAE: “We believe that entrepreneurs are the
driving force behind industrial transformation, and it is our responsibility to build a supportive
environment to help them grow their businesses.”

Sheraa seeks to empower entrepreneurs and connect them with real industrial opportunities that
contribute to national objectives in localisation and sustainable manufacturing, Al Nuaimi
told Aletihad.

The centre provides SMEs exposure opportunities through platforms like Make it in the Emirates,
apart from mentorship services and incubator support.

https://en.aletihad.ae/news/business/4576775/from-funding-to-mentorship--khalifa-fund-and-
sheraa-power-th