Khalifa Fund Is ’Industry Partner’ Of GES-EVA
Highlighting the UAE’s focused initiatives to promote small and medium businesses and strengthen a culture of entrepreneurship in the country, the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (Khalifa Fund) is supporting the Global Entrepreneurship Summit - Entrepreneurial Ventures of Arabia (GES-EVA) as its Industry Partner.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from December 11 to 12, 2012, GES-EVA Summit and Exhibition brings together stakeholders from across the SME ecosystem, to promote youth entrepreneurship, create diversified employment opportunities in this important sector and provide access to start-ups and established businesses to global partnerships that help grow their business.
Launched in 2007, Khalifa Fund works to develop local enterprises in Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE by creating a new generation of Emirati entrepreneurs by instilling and enriching the culture of investment as well as supporting and developing SME investments. At GES-EVA, Khalifa Fund’s Chief Executive Officer His Excellency Abdullah Saeed Al Darmaki, and Najla Al Midfa, Senior Manager - Entrepreneurship Development will take part in key panel discussions.
Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre, said: “As a strategic event that highlights the UAE Government’s focus on promoting a culture of innovation-led entrepreneurship across the Arab world, GES-EVA puts the spotlight on how public and private partnerships can boost the SME ecosystem. Khalifa Fund has been playing a significant role in driving the growth of the SME sector in the country and their partnership with the event underscores the importance that the UAE places in reaching out to emerging entrepreneurs and to support the SME sector by sharing best practices.”
H.E. Al Darmaki said: “SMEs are strong growth engines for regional economies by creating employment opportunities and promoting economic diversification. Khalifa Fund builds on UAE’s Vision 2021 and the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 with our commitment to sustainable development by nurturing our youth talent and enabling them to contribute actively to the nation. GES-EVA is a strategic fit to our goals of highlighting the UAE’s experience in boosting the SME sector and reaching out to the various stakeholders to further explore growth and development opportunities that will benefit the region’s social and economic growth.”
H.E. Al Darmaki will share his views on global best practices in entrepreneurship and SME development at the panel discussion on ‘Global Conversation with Policy Makers’ on December 11, 10AM at Sheikh Saeed Hall – Theatre 1; and also the success story of Khalifa Fund in developing SMEs and the current opportunities and challenges faced by the sector at discussion on ‘Establishing a Unified GCC SME Ecosystem’ on the same day at 3.30PM at Sheikh Saeed Hall – Theatre 2.
Al Midfa will take part in the strategic discussion on ‘Thinking Big & Building Big Blocks for Womenpreneurs,’ which explores innovative ways to support women entrepreneurs from diverse perspectives. The panel discussion will be held at 3.30PM on Dec. 11 at Sheikh Saeed Hall – Theatre 2.
GES-EVA puts the spotlight on the golden opportunity for growth presented by the SME sector, with its focus on encouraging youth entrepreneurship, fueling diversified employment opportunities and providing access for start-ups to markets and capitals across the region.
The event will be attended by leading government, public and private sector entities and institutional investors, in addition to NGOs and academia. High-ranking policymakers from the region, prominent global business leaders, international financiers and C-level procurement decision makers who have a strong role in the Pan-Arab economic ecosystem will take part in the summit and exhibition.
Emirate: Dubai
Date: Dec 10, 2012
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