What the campaign is about
At its core, the campaign provides a nationwide platform to train, mentor, and support Emirati entrepreneurs through a network of more than 50 incubators, accelerators, and strategic partners from both the public and private sectors. It focuses on fostering a culture of innovation, accelerating SME growth, and diversifying the national economy beyond oil.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) already play a crucial role in the UAE, accounting for 95% of active businesses and contributing over 63% of non-oil GDP. The campaign seeks to expand this contribution while inspiring young Emiratis to establish their own ventures and participate in the UAE’s transformation into a knowledge-driven economy.
Key initiatives
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism, in collaboration with the UAE Government Media Office and the UAE Entrepreneurship Council, has announced a series of programmes to drive the campaign’s goals:
StartupEmirates.ae Platform: A new digital hub offering mentorship, networking, shared workspaces, and cross-border partnerships. It aims to attract 10,000 entrepreneurs and generate 30,000 jobs by 2030.
Entrepreneurship Programme: Training 10,000 Emiratis through beginner and advanced tracks covering everything from business set-up to global expansion.
Ashfaq has been shaping the UAE media landscape for over 27 years with sharp insights and deep regional understanding.
Known for his in-depth coverage of the UAE news, South Asian diaspora, he blends heart and hard facts in stories on community affairs, politics, and regional security. Relentless and dynamic, Ashfaq doesn’t just report the news, he helps shape it. He has been in the business since 1991.
