ECI Reinforces Commitment to SME Empowerment and Industrial Growth at ‘Make It In The Emirates 2026’
Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the UAE’s industrial and export ecosystem through its participation at Make It In The Emirates 2026, held at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
The event brought together manufacturers, investors, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the world to explore opportunities across the UAE’s industrial sector and strengthen collaboration in support of economic diversification.
ECI’s participation highlighted its ongoing efforts to empower local manufacturers, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and advance the UAE’s non-oil economic growth agenda.
As part of the event, Haitham Al Khazaleh moderated a panel discussion titled “Empowering Industrial SMEs – Finance, Growth & Societal Impact.” The session explored strategies to unlock financing opportunities and accelerate sustainable growth for industrial SMEs across the UAE.
The discussion emphasized the critical role SMEs play within the UAE’s industrial economy and identified several recommendations aimed at strengthening the sector. Key proposals included expanding guarantee and blended finance programmes, increasing access to accelerator initiatives, embedding CSR and ESG principles into SME financing models, and improving SME access to procurement and retail platforms.
Participants also highlighted the importance of integrating SMEs into national initiatives such as local sourcing programmes and humanitarian supply chains to create broader economic and societal impact.
Commenting on the discussions, Al Khazaleh said that collaboration between financial institutions, industrial stakeholders, and government entities remains essential for creating practical solutions that enable SME growth.
“At ECI, we are committed to supporting SMEs by improving access to finance, simplifying processes, increasing awareness of available financial tools, and strengthening collaboration between public and private sector partners,” he stated.
He added that enhancing credit protection and risk-sharing mechanisms can help SMEs expand into new markets while contributing to a more resilient and diversified national economy.
Throughout the event, ECI positioned itself as a key facilitator of dialogue between public and private sector stakeholders, focusing on solutions to bridge financing gaps and support long-term industrial growth.
The organization also reiterated its commitment to helping SMEs integrate into local and global supply chains, expand export capabilities, and manage business risks more effectively.
These efforts align closely with national initiatives such as the UAE’s National In-Country Value (ICV) Program and the Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030, both of which aim to strengthen the country’s position as a competitive, innovation-driven, and sustainable industrial hub.
