Page 29 - ETIHAD CREDIT INSURANCE PR REPORT - JUNE 2025

6/30/25, 7:54 AM Etihad Credit Insurance Announces AED 174 Million SME Funding with 4 Leading Banks - Business Today Middle East
On her part, Raja Al Mazrouei, CEO of Etihad Credit Insurance, highlighted ECI’s role in empowering
UAE-based businesses to compete on a global level. She stated that ‘Xport Xponential’ serves as a
dynamic platform for local businesses and potential importers to connect. Al Mazrouei further stated that
the programme identifies high-potential export markets for a wide range of products, allowing small
businesses to expand globally with greater ease and confidence.
She added: “ECI’s ‘Xport Xponential’ programme aligns with the UAE’s strategic vision to diversify its
revenue sources away from oil. It offers integrated financial and insurance solutions, particularly to SMEs,
enabling them to scale internationally, while mitigating major export-related risks.”
Futoon Hamdan AlMazrouei, Group Head of Personal, Business, Wealth and Privileged Client Banking
Group at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), said: “First Abu Dhabi Bank is pleased to be a banking partner of
“ECI’s Xport Xponential programme”, an initiative that reflects the UAE’s strategic vision for economic
diversification and sustainable growth. We are strongly aligned with the Ministry of Economy’s mission to
foster a flexible, future-ready economy and a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem by enabling investment
and attracting top talent. By empowering SMEs with access to working capital and innovative trade
finance solutions, we are unlocking new opportunities for global growth. The programme strengthens the
UAE’s competitiveness and supports its ambition to expand trade across strategic international markets.”
On the collaboration, Dr. Bernd van Linder, CEO of Commercial Bank of Dubai, stated: “Commercial Bank
of Dubai is proud to be a foundational partner in ECI’s Xport Xponential programme. With a legacy of
over five decades in backing the growth of the UAE, we continue to demonstrate our commitment today
by empowering the nation’s vibrant SME sector and creating tangible impact that supports the economic
diversification and global competitiveness of the UAE. We look forward to continuing our work with ECI to
unlock even greater opportunities for businesses across the Emirates, building on the significant
momentum already achieved.”

Mustafa Al Khalfawi, CEO of Ajman Bank, said: “We are proud to be part of the ‘Xport Xponential’
programme in collaboration with Etihad Credit Insurance, which represents a significant milestone in
empowering SMEs to access new growth frontiers. Our participation reflects Ajman Bank’s unwavering
commitment to supporting the UAE’s national agenda, particularly Ajman Vision 2030 and We the UAE
2031, by providing Sharia-compliant financing solutions that enable local businesses to scale
internationally. The AED 174 million in funding collectively raised through this initiative is a powerful
testament to the strength of public-private sector collaboration. We will continue to build on this
momentum by enabling innovative trade finance and expanding our role as a catalyst for sustainable
economic development.”
Mohammed Wassim Khayata, CEO of Al Maryah Community Bank, commented: “We are proud to
partner with Etihad Credit Insurance on the ‘Xport Xponential’ programme, which represents a significant
milestone in empowering the UAE’s SMEs to access global markets with confidence. At Al Maryah
Community Bank, we are committed to offering fully digital, fast, and innovative financing solutions that
simplify exporters’ daily operations and enhance their global competitiveness.
This initiative not only aligns with the UAE’s vision to diversify its economy and boost non-oil exports but
also opens new opportunities for local businesses in vital sectors to thrive internationally. We look forward
to continuing our collaboration with ECI to ensure that manufacturers and exporters are equipped with the
tools, knowledge, and capital they need to scale beyond borders.”
The ‘Xport Xponential’ programme was launched to fulfil the dual objectives of catalysing SMEs’ global
expansion and driving SME financing with the help of partner banks. It was introduced during the third
edition of ‘Make It in the Emirates’ (MIITE), held in May 2024, with the aim of accelerating the global
expansion of UAE-based SMEs by offering financial support and ensuring their export readiness through
innovative trade finance and credit insurance solutions.
As many as 42 companies applied for the programme, out of which 10 were shortlisted based on rigorous
evaluation criteria. These companies have collectively generated AED 2.1 billion in turnover to date and
are now targeting expansion into four key markets—Indonesia, India, Saudi Arabia, and Oman—with a
combined export potential of AED 31.3 billion over the next four years across ten vital sectors.
Implemented in collaboration with 19 strategic partners, the programme exemplifies ECI’s role in driving
sustainable economic growth by connecting businesses with international opportunities and tailored trade
finance solutions.

Since the programme’s inception, ECI’s partnerships with government entities and banks have increased
by 27 per cent, reflecting its role in nurturing a robust export-enablement ecosystem that connects the
public and private sectors under a unified vision. Partnerships with leading financial institutions have
helped facilitate consistent, reliable support and access to growth-oriented funding for UAE SMEs. ECI
also hosted a workshop in January 2025 to offer the selected companies’ essential tools and resources,
further supporting their export growth journey. In addition, these companies belong to diverse economic
sectors, showcasing the program’s wide-reaching impact across key industries.

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