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6/5/24, 4:14 PM UAE Today - Ministry Of Industry And Advanced Technology, Etihad Credit Insurance, And Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Shera…
Ministry Of Industry And Advanced Technology, Etihad Credit Insurance, And Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) To
Empower SMEs And Entrepreneurs In The Industrial Sector

In the presence of His Excellency Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; and Her Excellency Sarah Bint TEXT LINKS
Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology; a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed
between the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), and Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center Artificial Intelligence
(Sheraa),. The MoU aims to provide technical support, strategic consultation, and capacity building for entrepreneurs and industrial SMEs to help The Green Ecostore
them access local and international markets. Web Design
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The MoU was officially signed by H.E. Osama Amir Fadhel, Assistant Undersecretary of the Industry Accelerators Sector at MoIAT; H.E. Najla
Al Midfa, CEO Sheraa; and H.E. Raja Al Mazrouei, CEO of ECI; during the third edition of Make it in the Emirates (MIITE) Forum which took advertisement info
place from May 27-28, 2024 at the Abu Dhabi Energy Center, organised by MoIAT in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic
Development (ADDED) and ADNOC.
Encouraging innovation in the manufacturing industry
This strategic agreement represents part of a series of MoU signings for Sheraa’s Center of Excellence (CoE) for Advanced Manufacturing &
CPG which onboarded other partners such as Emirates Development Bank (EDB) and Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI). As
the first-of-its-kind in the UAE, this Center of Excellence aims to advance the nation’s vision for innovation in the manufacturing industry by
incubating and enabling the growth of advanced manufacturing startups while fostering an entrepreneurship culture in the country.
Providing startups with access to critical resources such as mentoring, international market access, capacity building, and research support, the
CoE nurtures a robust ecosystem that aligns with the UAE’s aspirations to be a global leader in future technologies and industrial innovation. By
offering services ranging from knowledge-sharing to market access to financing, the CoE empowers startups to thrive from the nascent stages to
more established phases.
Facilitating entrepreneurial growth in the region
The agreement aims to propel entrepreneurial growth in the region through a multifaceted approach including strategic advisory, capacity-
building initiatives, and market access. The agreement will pave the way for startups to thrive in line with the National Strategy for Industry and
Advanced Technology, by tapping into a wealth of resources for growth and development. ECI will provide vital support in financial risk
mitigation, funding access, and invaluable networking opportunities on a global scale, further propelling entrepreneurial growth in the region.
Both entities will also facilitate 1-on-1 advisory sessions and workshops conducted by industry experts, where startups will receive tailored
guidance on various aspects of business operations. This personalised approach ensures that startups are equipped with the necessary tools and
knowledge to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship, ultimately enhancing their prospects for success and aligning their growth with the
UAE’s national agenda.

HE Fadhel, said: “The ministry, in line with the objectives of the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology, aims to enhance the
growth and competitiveness of the industrial sector through developing enablers and incentives. We focus on creating investment opportunities
that support the growth of industrial companies under the Make it in the Emirates initiative, especially for SMEs and entrepreneurs. We are
confident that our partnership with Sheraa and ECI will enhance the capabilities of entrepreneurs and startups and enable them to grow and boost
their competitiveness.”
He added: “Collaboration between the ministry and its strategic partners, such as ECI and Sheraa, is one way in which the ministry empowers the
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UAE’s industrial sector, including its SMEs and entrepreneurs. This collaboration will open new horizons for industrial projects and emerging
companies. Through new enablers, it will support exports to new markets around the world, providing the opportunity for emerging companies to
participate in the UAE’s economic and social development.”

Speaking on the evolution of the entrepreneurial landscape, especially regarding manufacturing and consumer packaged goods, Najla Al Midfa
stated, “Our Center of Excellence aims to enhance the advanced manufacturing and CPG sectors within Sharjah and the UAE, by launching and
scaling startups, instilling a culture of innovation, and creating demand for high-skilled jobs. By collaborating with key strategic partners who are
leaders in their respective sectors, this MoU signing actively shows our collective drive towards excellence in entrepreneurship, and the
advantageous environment the UAE provides for businesses to grow and expand their markets.”

H.E. Raja Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer of ECI, emphasised the significance of such strategic partnerships in fostering an environment where startups can flourish,
thereby contributing to the UAE’s economic goals. “We are pleased to collaborate with the Sheraa and the MoIAT as it aligns with our commitment to providing innovative
credit solutions, facilitating easy access to finance, offering expert market insights, and nurturing strategic collaborations. These efforts aim to bolster the reputation of Sharjah
and UAE as a leading trade and investment hub, both regionally and globally. Through such partnerships, ECI will continue to expand its capabilities and outreach to
strengthen national exports in line with our vision and mission of promoting sustainable non-oil trade for the UAE’s economy,” Al Mazrouei added.
Make it in the Emirates Forum
The third edition of the Make it in the Emirates Forum in 2024 served as a major networking and knowledge-sharing platform for the industrial community, facilitating
valuable connections and insights on a global scale. This highly anticipated event gathered key stakeholders including decision-makers, government and private sector

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