ABU DHABI // The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development exhibition begins today and for the first time projects not directly linked to the fund will be considered for awards.
The annual exhibition, now in its fourth year, will run for three days - two days longer than previous years to allow for expected high attendance.
Hussain Jasim Al Nowais, the chairman of the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said he hoped the exhibition would attract Emiratis, school and university students, as well as business leaders.
"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 [small and medium enterprises], while also helping its members and aspiring entrepreneurs overcome existing challenges they may be encountering," Mr Al Nowais said.
Thirty-three successful UAE-based SME start-ups, funded and supported by the Khalifa Fund in the previous year, will be at the exhibition.
The fund will also present some of its social initiatives that have served the local community.
Mr Al Nowais said winners of the Khalifa Fund for Entrepreneurship will be announced at the ceremony.
Projects not directly linked to the Khalifa Fund will be considered for awards to encourage start-up projects and enhance the performance and stability of the national economy.
The exhibition will include industrial products, food products and service industries.