ACCI and Khalifa Fund join hands to enhance cooperation on SMEs

Business Bureau, Gulf Today

Ajman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) received a delegation from Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development at its premises in order to increase the cooperation and discuss the joint mechanisms aimed at the empowerment of SMEs in line with the goals and aspirations of both parties.

The meeting was attended by Jameela Kajour, Director of Franchise Development Department at Ajman Chamber along with the department’s staff Omar Al Nuaimi and Rafia Al Ghafli, and Ahmed Khalfan Al Rumaithi, Project Development Manager at Khalifa Fund.

During the meeting, Kajour reiterated the Ajman Chamber’s keenness to support and encourage youth to startup their own business through providing training and motivational programmes in cooperation with various government and private institutions. In addition, it organizes specialized exhibitions to create direct communication channels between entrepreneurs and the local community, as well as involving them in the local and international exhibitions under the umbrella of Ajman Chamber, she added.

Kajour also praised the efforts of the prudent leadership in supporting the institutions that seek to support young people and entrepreneurs, promote their ideas and projects, and provide specialized exhibitions, training and studies.

Meanwhile, the attendees stressed the need to motivate the Emirati young people to rely on innovation in their projects, underscoring the importance to develop SMEs, which serve as a major pillar for the growth of the economy and the local GDP. They also pointed to the importance of diversification of their projects in the trade, industry, service and agriculture fields. The two sides also discussed plans of the future cooperation that aim to optimally support the startups.

The attendees were also briefed on a number of sectors supported by the Khalifa Fund, including the agricultural sector through “Zarie” programme, which has significantly developed the agricultural sector in the country. The programme has further developed the aquaculture that relies on less consumption of water and provides high quality agricultural products.

The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED), in cooperation with the Ajman Municipality and Planning Department, recently hosted the special ‘Entrepreneurs Forum’ at the Fairmont Ajman hotel for Emirati-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and KFED members. The event was held to help the attendees reinforce and enhance their communication ties with local government and semi-government entities, the private sector, local partners and stakeholders. The forum also served as a strategic opportunity for young Emirati entrepreneurs in the move to explore investment opportunities in Ajman.

Mouza Al Nasri, Acting Chief Executive Officer, KFED, said, “This is the first time that we are holding an event of this kind in Ajman. The Entrepreneurs Forum has been designed and developed to provide a key link between Emirati entrepreneurs, SMEs and various government and semi-government entities, as well as representatives from the private sector, which in turn, can help enhance communication, coordination and a smooth exchange of experiences and knowledge.”

Mouza expressed the KFED’s readiness in providing world class services and strategic support aimed towards enabling them in achieving their goals and help play a key role in the promotion of the UAE’s continuing economic and social development.

“Today’s forum demonstrates the KFED’s steadfast commitment to promote a culture of entrepreneurship, encouraging local Emiratis to invest in SMEs and contribute to the competitiveness of the national economy and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This event will help enable local Emirati youth to implement their innovative projects and take advantage of the incubating environment that Ajman is building by the continuous efforts to support entrepreneurs and instill a culture of self-employment in them,” Al Nasri added.

Several government entities and strategic partners attended the event, including the National Program for Small and Medium Enterprises and Projects headed by Director Mohammed Al Yousefi. The National Program initiative was established in pursuant to Federal Law No. 2 of 2014 issued by the Ministry of Economy. The initiative is aimed towards helping companies grow and strengthen their capacities to enable them to effectively contribute in developing the country’s economic and innovation-based landscape, empowering entrepreneurs, SMEs, in creating standards and guidelines providing the necessary expertise and the technical, administrative and training support needed in various fields.

During the forum, the Municipality & Planning Department of Ajman gave a presentation about the emirate’s priority projects and investment opportunities, including their current efforts to encourage entrepreneurship in the UAE and Ajman, in particular. The department also discussed its Ajman Heritage District Project, an initiative that looks towards supporting investors in establishing their respective projects and providing an ideal environment that offers all the needed elements of success and continuity.