UAE Council for Entrepreneurship Advances National Vision with Focused Strategies to Support SME Growth
The UAE Council for Entrepreneurship convened its second meeting of 2025 under the leadership of H.E. Alia bint Abdulla Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship. The session brought together members representing federal and local government entities, economic development departments, and various entrepreneurship-focused councils and funds, reinforcing a collective commitment to strengthening the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
In line with the “We the UAE 2031” vision, the Council reviewed the progress made on recommendations from its inaugural meeting and assessed the implementation of key initiatives. Discussions included updates on the Federal Law No. 2 of 2014 regarding Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the development of a unified database for entrepreneurs, and enhanced coordination among local and federal bodies to streamline entrepreneurial support mechanisms.
H.E. Alia Al Mazrouei emphasized that the Council is working diligently to develop robust frameworks and future strategies aimed at supporting and empowering entrepreneurs. By advancing integration across relevant institutions and launching national programs, the Council seeks to boost competitiveness, drive startup growth, encourage partnerships and investments, and build a resilient, knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy.
Key discussions during the meeting focused on expanding support for entrepreneurs locally and internationally, promoting stronger public-private partnerships, and reinforcing the role of entrepreneurship in national economic development.
The Council also reviewed the Youth Entrepreneurship Council Strategy, designed to empower young innovators to lead transformative projects and enhance the UAE’s global standing in the entrepreneurship sector. Members discussed participation in upcoming international expos and key entrepreneurship events for 2025, ensuring an active UAE presence on the global stage.
Preparations for the National Forum for Government Procurement were also highlighted. The Forum aims to broaden entrepreneurs’ access to government tenders by enabling direct engagement with contracting authorities and sharing upcoming project opportunities. It will also provide a platform for dialogue to address procurement challenges and promote collaboration between SMEs and funding entities.
The session concluded with a review of progress on the National Agenda for Entrepreneurship and SMEs, focused on positioning the UAE as a global hub for entrepreneurial activity. Discussions centered around the Agenda’s seven pillars: ease of doing business, innovation, business support services, digital transformation, access to finance, human capital development, and increasing demand for SMEs.
Through its comprehensive efforts, the UAE Council for Entrepreneurship continues to play a pivotal role in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and empowering the nation’s entrepreneurs to thrive on both local and global platforms.
