Chaired by H.E. Alia bint Abdulla Al Mazrouei

First meeting of UAE Council for Entrepreneurship sets strategic priorities for the year in line with ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision

Meeting explores the possibility of establishing a unified definition for SMEs and updating their existing classifications

The UAE Council for Entrepreneurship held its first meeting, chaired by H.E. Alia bint Abdulla Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship. It was attended by council members representing federal and local government entities, economic development departments, and all councils and funds supporting entrepreneurship in the country. The meeting discussed the strategic pillars of the Council's operations and set its priorities for 2025 in line with the ‘We the UAE 2031" vision.’

The meeting follows the establishment of the Council by virtue of Cabinet Resolution No. (11/36W) of 2024, and the Ministry of Economy’s Resolution No. 1 of 2025 that appointed its members. The Council is affiliated with the Cabinet and works to support entrepreneurship and the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

H.E. Alia Al Mazrouei stated that the establishment of the UAE Council for Entrepreneurship marks a significant forward in enhancing the support system for entrepreneurs and SMEs in the country. She explained that the Council will play a key role in proposing policies and legislation that foster the growth of this vital sector. In addition, the Council will work on launching funding programs and initiatives, offering incentives and competitive advantages to Emirati entrepreneurs, contributing to their empowerment and greater participation in the national economy. It will serve as an umbrella for all federal and local entities involved in supporting SMEs, which currently make up over 90 per cent of the total number of companies registered in the country.

H.E. said: "The UAE Council for Entrepreneurship aims to empower entrepreneurs and support small, medium, and innovative projects in the country by proposing supportive policies and legislation and fostering an environment conducive to their growth and innovation. Our efforts will focus on implementing the national entrepreneurship strategy, supporting Emirati entrepreneurs and offering them competitive incentives.”

She added: “We are also keen to enhance coordination among local entities across various emirates to ensure the integration of efforts and the effectiveness of initiatives supporting entrepreneurship. Other important areas of focus are the development of awareness programs that encourage youth to enter this field, their upskilling, and providing opportunities for expansion in local and global markets."

As per its founding resolution, the Council is responsible for proposing and reviewing policies and legislation that foster a business environment driven by innovation. It will also introduce initiatives and programs aimed at providing financial solutions to entrepreneurs and innovative projects, with a particular emphasis on supporting Emirati entrepreneurs, in coordination with relevant entities. Furthermore, it oversees awareness programs that encourage citizens to start their own businesses and develop their skills in this field. Additionally, the Council works to create more opportunities for entrepreneurs and help them enter new markets. It is set to establish a comprehensive database for the entrepreneurship sector and SMEs in the country.

The inaugural meeting of the Council reviewed the National Entrepreneurship Strategy, which aims to develop a supportive environment for entrepreneurship and enhance the competitiveness of startups and innovative national projects. The meeting also focused on promoting coordination among local entities across various emirates to ensure the integration of efforts. Additionally, it discussed adopting a unified definition for SMEs, as well as reviewing and updating their current classifications to ensure consistency in government policies and standards and to ensure alignment with regional and global economic developments.

Moreover, the meeting discussed the actions needed to streamline the business environment and provide more enablers and incentives for entrepreneurs. It explored the means to develop mechanisms to continually review and enhance these incentives to align with market needs, thereby strengthening the ability of national projects to expand. Also covered was the importance of leveraging data to boost entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprises in the country. The participants agreed on the need to improve networking between entrepreneurs and local as well as international investment bodies and facilitate the expansion of startups into regional and global markets.

The Council members include H.E. Mariam Mohammed Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of Government Finance Management at the Ministry of Finance; His Excellency Dr. Hassan Obaid Al Mehairi, Assistant Undersecretary for Accreditation and Educational Affairs; His Excellency Salama Al Haj Al Awadhi, Assistant Undersecretary, Industrial Development Sector, UAE; Sara Al Habshi, Executive Director of the Tax Compliance Sector at the Federal Tax Authority; Fatima Abdullah Al Jabri, Assistant Governor for Financial Crime and Market Conduct at the Central Bank of the UAE; Abdullah Hamid Al Hamid, Senior Vice President mSMEs at the Emirates Development Bank; Mohamed Abdulkader, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Strategy and Policies at the Ministry of Education; and Dalal Al Shahi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Labor Protection at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.