Page 29 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - FEBRUARY 2025 Part 1

Press Release

to enter this field, their upskilling, and providing opportunities for expansion in local and global
markets."

As per its founding resolution, the Council is responsible for proposing and reviewing policies and
legislation that foster a business environment driven by innovation. It will also introduce initiatives
and programs aimed at providing financial solutions to entrepreneurs and innovative projects, with
a particular emphasis on supporting Emirati entrepreneurs, in coordination with relevant entities.
Furthermore, it oversees awareness programs that encourage citizens to start their own businesses
and develop their skills in this field. Additionally, the Council works to create more opportunities
for entrepreneurs and help them enter new markets. It is set to establish a comprehensive database
for the entrepreneurship sector and SMEs in the country.

The inaugural meeting of the Council reviewed the National Entrepreneurship Strategy, which
aims to develop a supportive environment for entrepreneurship and enhance the competitiveness
of startups and innovative national projects. The meeting also focused on promoting coordination
among local entities across various emirates to ensure the integration of efforts. Additionally, it
discussed adopting a unified definition for SMEs, as well as reviewing and updating their current
classifications to ensure consistency in government policies and standards and to ensure alignment
with regional and global economic developments.

Moreover, the meeting discussed the actions needed to streamline the business environment and
provide more enablers and incentives for entrepreneurs. It explored the means to develop
mechanisms to continually review and enhance these incentives to align with market needs,
thereby strengthening the ability of national projects to expand. Also covered was the importance
of leveraging data to boost entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprises in the country. The
participants agreed on the need to improve networking between entrepreneurs and local as well as
international investment bodies and facilitate the expansion of startups into regional and global
markets.

The Council members include H.E. Mariam Mohammed Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of
Government Finance Management at the Ministry of Finance; His Excellency Dr. Hassan Obaid
Al Mehairi, Assistant Undersecretary for Accreditation and Educational Affairs; His Excellency
Salama Al Haj Al Awadhi, Assistant Undersecretary, Industrial Development Sector, UAE; Sara
Al Habshi, Executive Director of the Tax Compliance Sector at the Federal Tax Authority; Fatima
Abdullah Al Jabri, Assistant Governor for Financial Crime and Market Conduct at the Central
Bank of the UAE; Abdullah Hamid Al Hamid, Senior Vice President mSMEs at the Emirates
Development Bank; Mohamed Abdulkader, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Strategy and
Policies at the Ministry of Education; and Dalal Al Shahi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for
Labor Protection at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.

-Ends-