Page 157 - KHALIFA FUND PR REPORT MAY 2025

5/21/25, 3:36 PM From healthy chocolate to furniture: Female founders aim to go global top-notch UAE-made products - Aletihad News Center

"We aim to lead the UAE's healthy chocolate segment and contribute to national goals for economic diversification and
industrial innovation," she added.

With her participation in MIITE, she now hopes to find partners that will help the brand grow beyond the UAE.

Manufacturing Bakery Equipment

Another entrepreneur, Khadija Abdullah, has built a factory that now produces high-quality bakery tools and equipment
- from ovens, dough sheeters and bread cutters to automated systems tailored to their clients' needs.

"We are the first UAE and Gulf-based factory in this sector. Our designs are tailored for local needs and built entirely in
the UAE using high-quality materials and Emirati talent," said Abdullah, who founded the Bawabat Al Sharq Factory
with the backing of Khalifa Fund. She admitted that the starting the venture wasn't easy, adding that financing and
technology access were among the major hurdles. With Khalifa Fund's support, however, Bawabat Al Sharq Factory
was able to move forward.

Now, the company seeks to "expand its exports, build technical partnerships, and showcase what 'Made in the UAE'
truly means", Abdullah said.

Through the solutions they create, they seek to help boost food security while supporting the UAE's vision for a
knowledge-based industrial economy.

Making Furniture
Widad Alhammadi, an entrepreneur in the furniture and interior design sector, makes sure her work reflects the UAE
identity.
Widad Al Hammadi Furniture & Decoration, a full-service interior design firm, offers environmentally responsible design
solutions that blend with modern trends and cultural authenticity.
"Everything is manufactured here - not just assembled. We use quality materials and Emirati-inspired designs,"
Alhammadi said.
Her approach goes beyond aesthetics, focusing on sustainability and local innovation.

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