Page 50 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - MAY 2025 (Part 1)_Neat

Press Release

The Minister of Economy added: "Today, we celebrate the registration of the first batch of national
companies in the Ministry’s Unified Family Business Registry, a key step toward enhancing the
business environment for family-owned enterprises and safeguarding business continuity and
investment across generations. The UAE’s Family Business Law regulates matters such as capital
structure, transfer mechanisms, redemption rights, share valuation and categories, and provisions
for companies to buy back their own shares." H.E. encouraged companies to take advantage of the
registry's benefits, particularly the smooth intergenerational business transition within a clear and
flexible legal framework.

H.E. Sultan Rashed Al Dhaheri, owner of SBR Investment, stated: "For over 60 years, I have
devoted my efforts to building a strong family and business entity that carries our family name and
reflects our core values of hard work, commitment, and social responsibility. Today, registering
our family companies in the UAE's unified business registry represents a natural progression of
our journey and ensures continuity for future generations.”

“We're proud that our company is one of the first family businesses to be officially registered in
the UAE's Unified Family Business Registry, demonstrating our strong commitment to actively
participating in the development of a leading institutional model for such businesses in the
country." He highlighted the legal framework established by the UAE to govern family businesses,
which includes clear mechanisms for managing family member relationships, enhancing
confidence and trust, supporting internal harmony, and contributing to the long-term sustainability
of family enterprises.

Abdulla Sharafi, CEO of Sharafi Group Investments, said: “Our decision to register Sharafi Group
Investments as a family business in the official registry originates from our belief in the
comprehensive legal framework established by the law, which ensures the continuity of our
business across generations and protects the interests of all family members. This step has
delivered tangible benefits in terms of governance, guarantee of intergenerational continuity, and
enhanced transparency in decision-making. The law has also played a role in addressing diverse
challenges faced by family businesses, particularly regarding succession planning and dispute
resolution.”

“We place our full confidence in the forward-looking vision of our wise leadership and in this
exceptional legislation that reaffirms the UAE’s commitment to supporting the sustainability of
family businesses, which are a cornerstone of the national economy. We encourage all Emirati
family-owned businesses to leverage this leading initiative to secure their prosperity and continuity
to future generations,” he added.