Abu Dhabi - Sharikat Mubasher: The Abu Dhabi SME Champions program, led by Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, witnessed a remarkable growth in the number of deals concluded between SMEs and key public and private entities, facilitating over 650 deals in 2024, amounting to AED 672 million (around $182 million).

The deals span various sectors, including IT, consultancy, advertising, and event management, a recent statement revealed.

The program focuses on fostering and encouraging SMEs to participate in supply chain opportunities by providing them with a robust platform for business development. It features awareness initiatives to educate SMEs on the benefits of forging strategic alliances with both government and private sector entities.

Mouza Al Nasri, Acting CEO of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, affirmed the pivotal role of the Abu Dhabi SME Champions Program in connecting SMEs with leading institutions and government entities. “This helps enhance the productivity and innovation within this vital business category, which is a cornerstone of the national economy.”

To date, the program has conducted 13 bi-monthly training sessions, in collaboration with at least nine partners, focusing on skill development for SMEs to meet market demands.