The UAE’s Modern Formula for SME Growth and Entrepreneurial Success

Alam allaykumah. Um, excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good morning to you all. It is a privilege to join you at the Abu Dhabi Finance Week, a platform that has become one of the UAE's most important gatherings for economic dialogue, insight, and collaboration. My sincere appreciation to his excellency, Ahmed Jasi, and the organizers for bringing together a community of leaders who continue to shape the future of our nation's economy. Today's forum highlights a segment that sits at the heart of national development.

The UE'smemes and homegrown enterprises are a critical and visible representation of our economy. They project drive, purpose, ambition, and long-term commitment. They form the backbone of economic resilience, innovation, and job creation in every economy in the world. In the UEE, they stand as reminders of the journey and progress that our nation has crossed, but most importantly, a time stamp of reflection of how much of that progress has been driven by entrepreneurs and founders and their spirit of determination and vision. As we look to the future, this segment is approaching a defining moment.

When we look atmemes, we see family businesses, homegrown creations, and ambitions. And in the coming decade, we see opportunity and greater frontiers. Today, our SMMES and growth stage companies are scaling rapidly, entering new markets, exploring advanced sectors, and adapting to heighten expectations in an increasingly competitive landscape. Capital is a critical bridge towards those frontiers, but we believe taking the next leap and evolution will not rely on capital alone. The remaining part of the equation is equally important which is to match capital with founder ambition transforming their businesses to operate with robustness and institutional disciplines from governance commercial and talent excellence.

These are the basic ingredients for anyme aiming to become the UAE's next national champion. This is where investor and founder value creation becomes indispensable not as a one-off step but as an ongoing commitment to strengthening organizations from within helpingmemes refine their structure sharpen their strategy and build the foundations needed to grow sustainably and confidently at the Emirates Growth Fund. This is our core principle and what guides our work. We see ourselves not simply as investors and providers of capital, but as long-term partners to the companies and family businesses that are already shaping the UAE's future. Our focus is to assist businesses thoughtfully and constructively always respecting the founders journey while preparing them for the demands of scale.

Our aim is not growth at all costs, but growth with purpose, resilience, and national contribution in a manner that further cements these companies in the front line of our economy's capability. But even with the strongest capabilities, no business thrives in isolation. The UEE's greatest strength has always been its collaborative system. An environment where government, regulator, financial institutions, and the private sector work hand in hand with a shared sense of responsibility. This unity is one of the reason our e economy continues to expand with confidence and it is exactly why we are confident at EGF with our recent engagement and collaborative partnership with the Abu Abu Dhabi ecosystem through the Abu Dhabi chamber, the Abu Dhabi family business association and hub 71 where we signed ourus yesterday.

We look forward to play our role in being a complimentary and leading force. As we gather here today, it is clear that the UE has entered a new phase of economic maturity.memes will play a decisive role in shaping that phase. They will anchor industries, create opportunity, and push forward the values and ambition that have divine that have defined this nation from its earliest days. At EGF, we are deeply committed to supporting this journey, not through slogans or promises, but through meaningful partnerships and closing and close engagement with the founders and teams who are building the UAE's next chapter.

In closing, I want to extend my gratitude once again to his excellency Ahmed Abi and the Abu Dhabi Finance Week team for convening this important conversation. Your leadership continues to elevate Abu Dhabi's role as a global economic hub and a home for ambition. We look forward to building our cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Chamber and Abu Dhabi Family Business Association and Hub 71 in fulfilling our vision of building an econ an economy that empowersmemes, founders and entrepreneurs. And every homegrown business has the opportunity to grow, contribute and reach greater frontiers. Thank you very much and have a great day.