Will Growth Capital Unlock SME Exports?
Small and medium-sized businesses in the UAE are set to get stronger institutional support after the Ministry of Economy and Tourism signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Emirates Growth Fund. The agreement is aimed at helping SMEs grow sustainably, become more innovative, and access regional and global markets with greater confidence.
At its core, the partnership focuses on one of the biggest challenges for growing businesses: moving from early success to long-term scale. Through this MoU, MoET and EGF plan to work together on capacity-building programmes, accelerator initiatives, and investment opportunities that help SMEs expand within the UAE’s economic clusters and beyond.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials including H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the UAE Council for Entrepreneurship, along with H.E. Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry. The MoU was signed by H.E. Dr. Maria Hanif Alqassim on behalf of the Ministry, and by H.E. Najla Ahmed Al Midfa, Vice Chairperson of EGF’s Board, along with Khalifa Al Hajeri, CEO of EGF.
Speaking at the event, H.E. Bin Touq highlighted that the UAE continues to position itself as a practical hub for entrepreneurship by developing infrastructure, policies, and technologies that support founders and innovators. He noted that economic clusters in key sectors are becoming a national priority, and that SMEs are expected to play a larger role in building a knowledge-based economy.
According to him, the partnership with EGF is part of a wider effort to help small businesses participate more actively in new economy sectors. By strengthening their ability to scale, the collaboration supports economic diversification, improves cluster efficiency, and makes UAE businesses more competitive at a regional and global level.
From EGF’s side, Vice Chair Najla Ahmed Al Midfa explained that many high-potential SMEs struggle not because of ideas, but because of limited access to growth capital. She said the fund focuses on long-term partnerships, combining patient investment with hands-on support, so businesses can grow sustainably and compete internationally.
EGF CEO Khalifa Al Hajeri added that the MoU supports the fund’s mission to invest in companies that are built for the long run. Through the partnership, EGF will look for opportunities to provide growth equity, strategic guidance, and capital aligned with national priorities, helping SMEs strengthen their operations locally before expanding globally.
Beyond funding, the agreement also covers practical support. SMEs will have access to specialised training, innovation programmes, and market-entry assistance. The partnership also encourages knowledge-sharing between MoET and EGF in areas such as investment readiness and business sustainability, helping companies become more resilient as they scale.
For many SME founders, this means better access not just to money, but to structured growth support that prepares them for regional and international expansion.
Alongside this, H.E. Bin Touq also witnessed another MoU signing between EGF and the UAE Food Cluster. The agreement, signed by Khalifa Al Hajeri and Saleh Lootah, Chairman of the UAE Food Cluster, allows EGF to access food-sector companies under the cluster and provide them with strategic growth capital.
This move supports the UAE’s broader food security goals while helping food and agri-business SMEs strengthen operations, scale production, and contribute to a more self-sufficient and sustainable food ecosystem in the country.
Taken together, the two agreements reflect a steady, structured approach to SME development in the UAE, one that links funding, policy, and sector-focused growth to help businesses move from potential to performance.
