Khalifa Fund’s fourth annual exhibition to showcase UAE’s top SME startups

Under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed forces, Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development today announced that its three-day annual ceremony will commence on Sunday, October 9, 2011, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center. The fourth edition of the event will run until October 11, 2011, and will bring together 33 successful UAE-based small and medium enterprise (SME) startups that were funded and supported by Khalifa Fund within previous year.

Commenting on the exhibition, H.E. Hussein Jasim Al Nowais, Chairman of Khalifa Funds for Enterprise Development, said: “Khalifa Fund is honored to hold its annual ceremony for 2011  under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed force. The exhibition grants us a unique opportunity to showcase the Fund’s achievements in funding new ventures, and its efforts in harnessing a high-quality business environment for SMEs, while also helping its members and aspiring entrepreneurs overcome existing challenges they may be encountering.”

 He added: “The Fund also will present some of its social initiatives that have enabled it to serve the local communities, including the ‘Sogha program,’ which aims to preserve Emirati cultural heritage. Through initiatives such as Al Sogha, we have been able to encourage those with traditional professions to develop their abilities and convert them into a permanent source of income for them and their families.”

In addition, H.E Mr. Al Nowais pointed out that the annual ceremony will include the announcement of the winners of Khalifa Fund for Entrepreneurship, clarifying that the Fund had made substantial modifications to the Awards system for the current session. As part of these modifications, the Awards will now include categories dedicated to projects that are not affiliated with the Khalifa Fund. By doing this, the fund aims to encourage startup projects in the UAE regardless of home base or ownership, thereby enhancing the performance and stability of the national economy.

Project winners from different categories funded by Khalifa Fund will also be awarded at the exhibition, including awards for best local talent (male and female) within the category of “Sogha program.”

 “As for the highlights of the fourth annual exhibition organized by Khalifa fund for Enterprise Development, it comprises of 33 pavilions, that bring together businesses that are funded by the Khalifa Fund and who are participating in the exhibition for the first time”, said H.E. Mr. Al Nowais.

He also pointed out that the participants were chosen according to their activities and funding programs. The exhibition itself will include industrial products, food products, and service industries such as Information Technology and others.

H.E. Mr. Al Nowais added that an additional highlight for the current session was the participation of a number of projects funded by Khalifa Fund via the specialized industrial program that was developed and launched earlier this year, and which is in line with the fundamental strategies of the Fund that are aimed to prioritize the industrial sector in the UAE.

He concluded by mentioning that the Fund had now decided to extend the duration of the annual exhibition from one day to three days, so as to enable high attendance of UAE nationals, including university students, schools and business leaders. He said that the exhibition was now viewed by nationals as the country’s definitive success in pursuit of entrepreneurial excellence, innovation and creativity, and urged them to take advantage of the services provided by the Fund.