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Press Release

Chaired by H.E. Alia Al Mazrouei and Korean Minister of SMEs & Startups

UAE-Korea SME Committee holds first meeting to enhance

partnerships in entrepreneurship, startups and innovation between
the two countries

Meeting takes place on the sidelines of the UAE delegation’s participation in
ComeUp Korea startup festival

Abu Dhabi, 11 December 2024:

The UAE-Korea SMEs and Startup Committee held its first meeting in the Korean capital, Seoul,
chaired by Her Excellency Alia bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship,
and Her Excellency Oh Youngju, Korean Minister of SMEs and Startups. The meeting was aimed
at strengthening the partnership between the two countries in the fields of entrepreneurship,
startups and innovation, and boosting cooperation between relevant institutions and stakeholders
on both sides. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the UAE delegation’s visit to Korea to
participate in the ‘ComeUp 2024’ startup festival held on December 11 and 12.

In this regard, Her Excellency Alia Al Mazrouei emphasized the strength and vitality of the UAE-
Korea relations, which are characterized by distinguished and advanced strategic partnerships in
all fields and the exchange of high-level visits. The most recent of this was the visit of UAE
President His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Korea last May, during which,
the two countries signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement expanding the
fields of economic and investment cooperation.

Her Excellency said: “We are keen to enhance cooperation with our partners in the Korean
government in the field of SMEs and the Committee meeting is an important step in supporting
the competitiveness of the entrepreneurial environment in the markets of the two countries. It
enhances our efforts to provide more enablers that increase our markets’ attractiveness to
entrepreneurs and startups. Besides, it helps us capitalize on the advanced infrastructure and
flexible legislative policies offered by both the UAE and Korea to support startup owners and
motivate them to achieve more innovation and creativity.”

Her Excellency added: "The topics and themes discussed by the Committee meeting today will
play a key role in expanding the partnership between the two countries in the field of