When you think of public-private partnerships, it is not only about financial investment, it is also about enhancing an ecosystem so an entire sector can thrive. As the acting chief executive of Khalifa Fund, an enabler of the small and medium-sized enterprises, it is my duty and passion to find ways to further advance the UAE's SME sector.
According to last year's report Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Abu Dhabi by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abu Dhabi's SMEs account for 98 per cent of its market economy if micro enterprises are counted in the SME basket, 29 per cent of its GDP, and 44 per cent of its non-oil economy.
When considering these numbers, it becomes impossible to overlook the importance of the SME sector.
From creating new enterprise development initiatives, to hosting first-class training programmes and guiding SMEs, Khalifa Fund is commited to many diverse SMEs that make up the sector.
However, an avenue that we are increasingly exploring is PPPs. As announced earlier this year, the government of Abu Dhabi is issuing multi-billion-dirham tenders under the PPP model to encourage investment in projects across sectors.
Around the world, organisations that are both government and privately owned are increasingly recognising the positive outcomes of PPPs. They understand the benefits of sharing resources to achieve a common goal: gaining access to specific skill sets and resources, injecting more investment and reducing risk all drive PPPs forward and make them more popular.
In relation to our local market, PPPs present a fantastic opportunity to many sectors. One in particular that these partnerships can enhance is Abu Dhabi’s SME sector. But how so?
PPPs fuse the best of both worlds. When governments procure the most efficient and economically viable partnerships, they explore the free market and create a business environment where the most proficient entities are awarded with the opportunity to work with the government on specialised projects.
When government entities work closely with private sector organisations, it leads to a rapport where leading, private sector entities begin to put their specialist minds to work in conjunction with the government’s plans.
When you think of PPPs, it is not only about financial investment. Sometimes it is also about enhancing an ecosystem so an entire sector can thrive
In relation to Abu Dhabi, this is being achieved through the Ghadan 21 accelerator programme, where the aforementioned multi-billion-dirham tenders are being allocated through an initiative to increase the use of PPPs, which will entice private sector participation and investment. That brings me to the next important factor of PPPs – attracting private sector investment into SMEs.
When SME enablers take the time and make a conscious effort to establish PPPs, the entire SME sector benefits from opportunities that would not have previously existed.
When you encourage PPPs within the SME sector, the small enterprises with the most promise quickly rise to the top and reap the rewards of being close to leading private sector organisations. Those rewards can come in many forms – they don't have to be monetary or revolve around trading equity for investment from a larger firm.
These intangible rewards could be: gaining expertise knowledge, acquiring access to resources, or perhaps being affiliated with multinational corporations that can boost performance though mutually beneficial partnerships.
And these rewards are exactly what Khalifa Fund is pursuing through PPP efforts.
On September 16, Khalifa Fund announced the launch of a partnership with Amazon, which saw the launch of e-Empower, an initiative to support and develop Abu Dhabi-based SMEs and entrepreneurs by providing e-learning content to help small businesses expand their online capabilities. Experts from noon.com will also train Emirati micro-businesses on how to broaden their online customer reach.
When you think of PPPs, it is not only about financial investment. Sometimes it is also about enhancing an ecosystem so an entire sector can thrive. Through PPPs like these, we contribute to the gross domestic product of the emirate.
The government of Abu Dhabi has played an integral role in both developing and supporting the SME sector. They have recognised the need for PPPs and are exploring this avenue as a way to continue this steady growth of non-oil revenue.
I commend the efforts of public sector organisations that are enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem and fostering a culture of investment and business growth.
Moving forward, I would encourage all major, industry-leading enterprises to set their eyes on Abu Dhabi and acknowledge the range of entrepreneurial talent that exists in our market. The more synchronicity we establish between industry leaders and Abu Dhabi’s SME sector, the more it will benefit our innovative entrepreneurs.
Mouza Al Nasri is the acting chief executive of Khalifa Fund
The specs
Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: seven-speed PDK dual clutch automatic
Power: 375bhp
Torque: 520Nm
Price: Dh332,800
On sale: now
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre V6
Power: 295hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 355Nm at 5,200rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
Price: Dh179,999-plus
On sale: now
The%20specs
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Scoreline
Saudi Arabia 1-0 Japan
Saudi Arabia Al Muwallad 63’
Afro%20salons
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CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster with a decades-long career in TV. He has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others. Karam is also the founder of Takreem.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
At a glance
Fixtures All matches start at 9.30am, at ICC Academy, Dubai. Admission is free
Thursday UAE v Ireland; Saturday UAE v Ireland; Jan 21 UAE v Scotland; Jan 23 UAE v Scotland
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (c), Ashfaq Ahmed, Ghulam Shabber, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Naveed, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Quick%20facts
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Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
1 Man City 26 20 3 3 63 17 63
2 Liverpool 25 17 6 2 64 20 57
3 Chelsea 25 14 8 3 49 18 50
4 Man Utd 26 13 7 6 44 34 46
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5 West Ham 26 12 6 8 45 34 42
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6 Arsenal 23 13 3 7 36 26 42
7 Wolves 24 12 4 8 23 18 40
8 Tottenham 23 12 4 8 31 31 39
The five pillars of Islam
Match info
Premier League
Manchester United 2 (Martial 30', Lingard 69')
Arsenal 2 (Mustafi 26', Rojo 68' OG)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'Avengers: Infinity War'
Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
Four stars
Bridgerton%20season%20three%20-%20part%20one
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Switching%20sides
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The years Ramadan fell in May
Brief scores:
Manchester City 2
Gundogan 27', De Bruyne 85'
Crystal Palace 3
Schlupp 33', Townsend 35', Milivojevic 51' (pen)
Man of the Match: Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace)
The specs
Engine 60kwh FWD
Battery Rimac 120kwh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power 204hp Torque 360Nm
Price, base / as tested Dh174,500
MATCH INFO
Champions League last 16, first leg
Tottenham v RB Leipzig, Wednesday, midnight (UAE)
