Etihad Credit Insurance Hosts Workshop for Xport Xponential Initiative Participants
Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), the UAE’s federal export credit company, held a comprehensive training workshop for companies selected to participate in its Xport Xponential initiative. The workshop, conducted at the Museum of the Future, follows the recent announcement of the initiative’s participants.
The event brought together local and international stakeholders, including the initiative’s 19 federal and financial partners, selected companies, government representatives, and a distinguished lineup of experts and stakeholders. The workshop provided participants with essential insights and tools to advance their export journey and elevate the UAE’s position in global trade.
Empowering UAE Exporters
H.E. Raja Al Mazrouei, CEO of ECI, inaugurated the workshop with opening remarks emphasizing the Xport Xponential initiative’s mission to create new opportunities for export, re-export, and foreign trade activities. H.E. Al Mazrouei highlighted the program’s comprehensive offerings, including credit and financing solutions, advisory support, and access to a vast database of potential buyers and importers worldwide. These efforts align with the UAE’s national development strategies and the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, which targets a GDP of AED 3 trillion, non-oil exports worth AED 800 billion, and foreign trade valued at AED 4 trillion within the next decade.
“The Xport Xponential initiative reflects ECI’s commitment to enhancing the competitiveness of UAE’s non-oil goods and diversifying the national economy,” stated H.E. Al Mazrouei. “Our collaboration with strategic partners enables us to empower local manufacturers and exporters to achieve sustained growth.”
Expert-Led Sessions
The workshop featured insights from prominent experts:
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Dr. Yasar Jarrar, Managing Partner at Gov Campus and Professor at Hult International Business School, discussed the growth trajectory of SMEs in the UAE.
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Mahesh Kumar, Vice President of Trade Finance at Emirates Development Bank, presented on ‘Trade and Working Capital Products - Value Proposition.’
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Haitham Al Khazaleh, Head Middle East and Africa at Swiss Re Management Ltd., delivered a virtual session on the role of reinsurance in supporting export credit agencies.
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Robert Besseling, CEO of PANGEA-RISK, analyzed key export market risks and opportunities for the UAE.
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Andreas Klasen, Professor of International Business at Oxford HRA, explored the role of ECAs in sustainable export growth.
Strategic Discussions
Shaima Alaydarous, Director at the Ministry of Economy, highlighted the importance of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) in strengthening the UAE’s trade relations. Thuraiya Hamid Alhashmi, Director at the Ministry of Finance, emphasized the significance of bilateral investment treaties. Additionally, legal challenges in international trade were addressed by Michael Morris and Rebekah Jones from Clyde & Co.
Christopher Hanning, Head of Trade Asset Distribution at DP World Trade Finance, concluded the sessions with insights on ‘Bridging the Trade Finance Gap the DP World Way.’
H.E. Raja Al Mazrouei delivered closing remarks, reaffirming ECI’s dedication to fostering sustainable export growth and empowering UAE businesses to thrive in global markets.
