New Abu Dhabi schemes offer Emiratis 80% startup funding
The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) has announced the offering of new financial packages to support Emirati entrepreneurs with both emerging and established projects in Abu Dhabi's priority sectors.
This continues its existing funding programmes.
Read:
The entity has been continually accepting applications for medium and long-term loans to meet the needs of innovative business ventures, a
The two funding programmes run by the entity are the Startup Funding Programme and the Scale-up Funding Programme. Both programmes are channelised towards the enhancement of innovative concepts, improvement of competitiveness, and ensuring the sustainable success of business ventures with transparency for existing projects.
These funding programmes strengthen the growth and function of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in sectors such as healthcare, education, agricultural technology, information technology, communications, tourism, industry, and innovative projects.
'We are committed to empowering entrepreneurship within the community and contributing to the establishment of a more diverse and sustainable economic model. Through this move, we seek to design financial solutions that broaden our support for projects, especially SMEs, which serve as a key pillar for establishing a sustainable economic model and a primary driver for attracting investments and boosting the competitiveness of the national economy,' said Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, Acting CEO of KFED.
Functions of the two funding programmes
Startup Funding Programme
This programme offers a loan covering up to 80 per cent of the total project establishment costs. It also provides young entrepreneurs with easy terms, a repayment period of up to 84 months, and a grace period of up to 24 months.
Scale-up Funding Programme
This programme is meant for existing projects and offers loans to support successful and stable SMEs. It is designed for Emirati entrepreneurs who intend to develop and expand their businesses. The financial support provided by the loan covers up to 80 per cent of the total expansion costs.
How these funding programmes empower entrepreneurs
Both funding programmes not only support startups and empower entrepreneurs but also catalyse the sustainability of the national economy, diversify its sources, and create more job opportunities.
They offer many facilities and support tools, including long-term, easy-to-manage loans, enabling borrowers to manage their financial commitments smoothly.
The difference made so far
In 2024, the fund delivered entrepreneurship training courses. The courses were designed to offer support and expertise to business owners, helping them transform innovative business ideas into successful projects.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
CARACAL returns as Weaponry Sponsor for largest edition of ADIHEX
15 Aug 2025 17:46 ABU DHABI (WAM)The 22nd edition of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) has announced CARACAL as a Weaponry a regional leader in high-performance small arms design and production and an EDGE entity within the Missiles & Weapons cluster, will play a key role in this year's by ADNEC Group, a Modon Holding company and the Emirates Falconers' Club, this year's ADIHEX is set to be the most extensive in its long and distinguished event will provide a premier international platform for hunting, falconry, equestrian and outdoor enthusiasts to discover and showcase the latest products and services, with CARACAL leading the Hunting & Shooting Sports Guns & Equipment Al-Ameri, CEO of CARACAL, said, 'This year marks CARACAL's 18th participation, and we are set to showcase the latest technology in precision pistols and rifles. Every ADIHEX offers us a unique opportunity to further the UAE's growing sports shooting and hunting communities through displaying our line of high-performance firearms, proudly designed and produced in the UAE. We look forward to building on our regional partnerships and establishing new collaborations at the Middle East's premier hunting event.'Saad Al Hasani, Event Director at ADIHEX, said, 'CARACAL has played an integral part in ADIHEX's success over its many years of participation. Their commitment to innovation and excellence aligns perfectly with ADIHEX's mission to celebrate tradition while embracing the latest advancements in the industry.'The Hunting, Shooting Sports, Guns & Equipment sector at ADIHEX offers a glimpse into the art and science behind firearms manufacturing. Visitors can explore a wide array of products, including pistols, commercial rifles, scopes and customised hunting accessories, presented by top-tier exhibitors who reflect the latest global trends in the industry. Aligned with the ADIHEX theme, 'The Legacy Lives On,' CARACAL is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Emirati firearm designers and producers, empowering them to showcase the latest innovations and achieve their career aspirations.
Gulf Business
a day ago
- Gulf Business
UAE aviation sector soars in H1 2025 with 75.4 million passengers
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes The UAE' civil aviation sector recorded notable growth across key indicators in H1 2025, with passenger traffic, air cargo, and air traffic movements showing solid results, according to a report by the state news agency (WAM). Airports across the UAE handled 75.4 million passengers in H1 2025, up from 71.7 million in the same period last year, representing a 5 per cent increase. January recorded the highest monthly passenger volume, exceeding 13.7 million travellers. UAE national carriers expanded their global network, launching flights to 15 new destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The new cities include locations in Russia, Czech Republic, Poland, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Croatia, and Ethiopia, further reinforcing the UAE's status as a major international aviation hub. Country's competitiveness in the aviation sector is 'rising' Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority ( Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, DG of GCAA, added, 'We are proud to continue achieving stable growth rates in both passenger and cargo traffic, supported by ambitious development projects to keep pace with this expansion. The total passenger handling capacity of the country's airports now exceeds 160 million, and we are confident that the aviation sector will continue to play a pivotal role in supporting the national economy, boosting tourism and trade, and reinforcing the UAE's position as a leading air transport hub regionally and globally.' In detail, air traffic in the UAE recorded 531,000 movements in H1 2025, a 6.2 per cent rise compared with nearly 500,000 movements during the same period last year. Riyadh, Jeddah, Kuwait, Mumbai, and Bahrain were the top five busiest destinations in terms of weekly flights. Air cargo volumes surpassed 2.2 million tonnes, up 4.74 per cent year-on-year, with national carriers accounting for 67 per cent of total cargo traffic. Read:
Gulf Business
a day ago
- Gulf Business
UAE introduces new passport rule: read details
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes Emirati citizens will soon be allowed to renew their passports up to 12 months before expiry, according to an announcement on Thursday by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Previously, the window for passport renewal opened just six months before the passport's expiration. The new policy will take effect on Monday, August 18, and will be accessible through ICP's smart services platform. The UAE passport is rated among the most 'strongest' in the world ICP chairman Ali Mohammed Al Shamsi said the change will improve citizens' quality of life by enabling better planning for international travel, smoother completion of official transactions, and wider use of secure digital documents. He also noted that the UAE passport — already among of the world's The reform aligns with the UAE's broader 'Zero Government Bureaucracy' initiative, aimed at reducing red tape and serving as a model for digital public services in the region and beyond. View this post on Instagram
