Latest news with #AbuDhabiExportsOffice
Al Etihad
22-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
From athlete to boat-maker: Meet the first Emirati woman building Olympic rowing boats
22 May 2025 20:26 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)The sleek shells of Olympic rowing boats all looked the same to Reem Al Hassani: efficient, anonymous, and made elsewhere. With 60 medals of every shade in hand, the Olympic champion traded the podium for a workbench, determined to build a rowing boat with the UAE in its grain – its story etched with Emirati hands into every journey in the field started in 2017 after becoming the first Emirati athlete to join the Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club. In 2018, she obtained the title of UAE Olympic Rowing Champion.'I wanted more than just to compete,' she told Aletihad in a recent interview. 'I wanted to create something that carries the name of the UAE and revives our maritime heritage with a modern touch.'Al Hassani recalls feeling disconnected from the Olympic boats she rowed in, finding them foreign. 'I realised the boat should reflect who we are, our ideas, our identity, our environment,' she 2021, Al Hassani ventured into the highly specialised and male-dominated world of boat manufacturing. 'It wasn't easy proving that the word 'impossible' means nothing for this daughter of the Emirates,' she said. 'I believed the industry isn't exclusive to anyone and that passion can open up all doors.'Her boats stand out among global counterparts not only for their engineering, but for the story they tell.'They carry the spirit of our land and the pulse of the Gulf Sea,' she said. 'They're made with an Emirati eye.' Al Hassani insists that a product can't truly be Emirati unless it touches the country's soil and draws from its resources.'I make sure that every material, every concept comes from our environment. It's not just a product; it's a message from our land to the world.'Al Hassani also noted that creating an Olympic-grade boat is as much about engineering excellence as athletic insight. Olympic rowing boats are made to exacting standards in weight, measurements, and contour. 'The smallest detail makes a difference,' she said. 'But the boat is more than a tool, it's the athlete's partner in their journey.''I design with the eye of an engineer, the heart of an athlete, and the pride of an Emirati.' Going Global Al Hassani plans on importing her UAE-made boats to global markets. 'I want to see the UAE's name sail across every sea,' she said. 'I want to take Emirati rowing boats to global championships.'To young Emirati women eyeing a future in manufacturing or sports tech, Al Hassani said, 'The UAE has given us opportunity, hope, and support to dream and achieve.''When your country believes in you, there should be no limits to your ambition. With passion, sincerity and determination, your idea can come to reality. The Emirati woman has always been up to the challenge.'Al Hassani was hosted by the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX) on Wednesday at Make it in the Emirates (MIITE) to share her industrial journey.'I'm thankful to Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi. Director General of ADFD and Chairman of the Exports Executive Committee of ADEXm, for this trust,' she said. 'It gives me more drive to keep going and proudly represent Emirati women in the industrial field.'
Al Etihad
21-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Emirati women take the lead in UAE's evolving industrial sector
21 May 2025 03:26 Khaled Al Khawaldeh (Abu Dhabi) Emirati women took centre stage in a show of leadership and capability at the Make it in the Emirates conference on Tuesday, underscoring their pivotal role in driving the country's industrial growth. Among the standout voices was Mariam Al Jaberi, Head of Production at Strata Manufacturing, who shared her inspiring journey from technician to industry leader. Speaking to Aletihad after the panel discussion of influential female industrialists hosted by the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), Al Jaberi reflected on her 14-year journey at the Al-Ain based aircraft component producer - one of the UAE's flagship manufacturing success stories. "I started in Strata in 2011 as a technician working on aircraft parts for the Airbus A330," she said. "Strata helped me by providing the right training - one year and a half of theory and practical work, completing 1,700 hours to become a qualified technician. Today, I lead all the business units, fabrication, shared services, and assembly."Al Jaberi's story is emblematic of a broader transformation in the UAE's industrial sector, where many Emirati women are not only participating but leading teams. The ADEX-hosted session brought together a distinguished group of women leaders from across the industrial ecosystem, highlighting the UAE's commitment to gender inclusion as a driver of economic Al Jaberi, the inclusion of women at every level of the company is not symbolic but strategic. "In Strata, we have a mix of both genders but over 78% of our staff are women. You'll find Emirati women everywhere - planning, lab, inspection, quality, HR, IT, even project managers, and even on the shop floor," she said. "Today, our CEO is Sara Al Memari. Our HR manager is also a woman. We've gone from zero to leadership. Women can be everywhere and at Strata, they already are."Strata's expansion mirrors this internal growth, with Al Jaberi noting that the production facility that began with only one line has now grown to 30. The company now supplies parts to global aerospace giants like Boeing and Airbus - an achievement that Al Jaberi said is a testament to the quality and innovation coming from its UAE-based operations."We are delivering to the US and France - some of the biggest customers in the world. Why do they come to Strata? There is something unique here. It's not just about the product. It's about passion and precision," she said. "Building aircraft parts requires attention to detail, and women excel in that. It's one of the reasons we thrive."The panel discussion echoed this sentiment, with senior figures - such as Dr. Alyazia Al Kuwaiti of Mubadala and Fatima Al Hammadi of KEZAD - emphasising how national strategies are deliberately focused on empowering Emirati women across advanced his opening remarks, Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), lauded the importance of ensuring women were the cornerstone of the national industrial strategy. "Empowering Emirati women in the industrial sector is both a national responsibility and a strategic priority," he said. "The success stories we see today reflect an ecosystem that recognises their potential and equips them with the tools to thrive."ADEX, through its financing and strategic initiatives, aims to play a key role in expanding opportunities for Emirati manufacturers - especially those led by women - to access global markets. Looking ahead, Al Jaberi is confident that the UAE's ambitions in manufacturing have no ceiling. Make it in the Emirates Continue full coverage "Why not have a fully UAE-made aircraft one day?" she said.
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
ADEX–EDB partnership to unlock AED 1bln in export financing for UAE industries
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), part of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), and Emirates Development Bank (EDB), the UAE's key financial engine for economic diversification and industrial transformation, have signed a strategic partnership agreement to deploy AED 1 billion over the coming years to UAE-based exporters and manufacturers. The agreement was witnessed by His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and Chairman of the Exports Executive Committee at the Abu Dhabi Exports Office. It was signed by His Excellency Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Development Bank, and Khalil Fadel Al Mansoori, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Exports Office. Unveiled during the Make it in the Emirates, the agreement marks a strategic partnership between two of the country's most important export enablers. It will enable UAE companies, particularly private-sector manufacturers, to expand into global markets by supporting capital expenditure, accelerating export-led growth, and contribute to the UAE's economic diversification efforts. The strategic initiative is directly aligned with the UAE's National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology, which aims to increase the industrial sector's contribution to GDP, accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies and transform the UAE into a regional and global hub for future industries. Through this partnership, both institutions will combine their expertise and resources to deliver innovative financing tools tailored to the needs of local exporters, ensuring a robust support system that fosters long-term growth and global competitiveness. H.E. Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, CEO of Emirates Development Bank, said: 'This partnership with ADEX gives UAE manufacturers with export ambitions the scale, certainty, and strategic backing they need to grow beyond borders. At EDB, we've already committed more than AED 18.7 billion in financing since 2021, helping to catalyse AED 64 billion in capital expenditure and supporting over 32,000 industrial jobs across the country. This agreement builds on that momentum, reinforcing our role as a national enabler of sustainable industrial growth and extending our support to the export-ready businesses shaping the next chapter of the UAE's economic story.' Khalil Al Mansouri, Executive Director of Abu Dhabi Exports Office, added: 'Our vision at ADEX has always been to position the UAE as a trusted and competitive global trade partner. This collaboration with Emirates Development Bank will directly support that goal by empowering UAE exporters with the financing required to access new markets and scale their operations. We are grateful to EDB for their partnership, and proud that this initiative reflects the UAE's growing maturity as an exporting nation where government entities work hand-in-hand to build the foundations of a diversified and resilient economy.' The initiative will be available exclusively to UAE-based private-sector corporates, with funding eligibility contingent on a core set of strategic criteria designed to maximise national impact. To qualify, companies must operate within the manufacturing sector and either generate or demonstrate a clear pathway toward export-based income, reinforcing the partnership's shared goal of accelerating the UAE's non-oil export growth. About Emirates Development Bank: Emirates Development Bank (EDB), the UAE's development bank, is a key financial engine for the UAE's economic development and industrial advancement. EDB provides financial and non-financial support to businesses of all sizes—from start-ups and SMEs to corporates—driving economic competitiveness across five strategic priority sectors: advanced technology, food security, healthcare, renewables, and manufacturing. As the first local bank in the UAE to be Great Place to Work-certified, EDB nurtures a high-trust, high-performance culture that drives both business growth and social impact. EDB was established under Federal Law by Decree No. 07 of 2011 issued by the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and became operational in June 2015. For more details, visit or follow our social media channels: About ADEX Established by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) in 2019, the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX) offers financing solutions to Emirati exporters to help increase the country's export volume and promote UAE export business in the global markets. ADEX's mandate includes providing credit facilities to overseas buyers and importers via direct and indirect loans and guarantees, thereby enhancing the export sector's pivotal economic role and promoting its global competitiveness. This is in line with the UAE's economic diversification strategy. The entity also seeks to expand the range of locally made exported goods and services, being among the main pillars of the country's sustainable development. For more details, visit or follow our social media channels:
Mid East Info
19-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
ADEX–EDB Partnership to Unlock AED 1 Billion in Export Financing for UAE Industries - Middle East Business News and Information
Strategic agreement announced at 'Make it in the Emirates' to accelerate export growth and advance UAE manufacturing in line with the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology. Abu Dhabi, UAE –May 2025 – Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), part of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), and Emirates Development Bank (EDB), the UAE's key financial engine for economic diversification and industrial transformation, have signed a strategic partnership agreement to deploy AED 1 billion over the coming years to UAE-based exporters and manufacturers. The agreement was witnessed by His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and His Excellency Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and Chairman of the Exports Executive Committee at the Abu Dhabi Exports Office. It was signed by His Excellency Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Development Bank, and Khalil Fadel Al Mansoori, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Exports Office. Unveiled during the Make it in the Emirates, the agreement marks a strategic partnership between two of the country's most important export enablers. It will enable UAE companies, particularly private-sector manufacturers, to expand into global markets by supporting capital expenditure, accelerating export-led growth, and contribute to the UAE's economic diversification efforts. The strategic initiative is directly aligned with the UAE's National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology , which aims to increase the industrial sector's contribution to GDP, accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies and transform the UAE into a regional and global hub for future industries. Through this partnership, both institutions will combine their expertise and resources to deliver innovative financing tools tailored to the needs of local exporters, ensuring a robust support system that fosters long-term growth and global competitiveness. H.E. Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, CEO of Emirates Development Bank, said: 'This partnership with ADEX gives UAE manufacturers with export ambitions the scale, certainty, and strategic backing they need to grow beyond borders. At EDB, we've already committed more than AED 18.7 billion in financing since 2021, helping to catalyse AED 64 billion in capital expenditure and supporting over 32,000 industrial jobs across the country. This agreement builds on that momentum, reinforcing our role as a national enabler of sustainable industrial growth and extending our support to the export-ready businesses shaping the next chapter of the UAE's economic story.' Khalil Al Mansouri, Executive Director of Abu Dhabi Exports Office, added: 'Our vision at ADEX has always been to position the UAE as a trusted and competitive global trade partner. This collaboration with Emirates Development Bank will directly support that goal by empowering UAE exporters with the financing required to access new markets and scale their operations. We are grateful to EDB for their partnership, and proud that this initiative reflects the UAE's growing maturity as an exporting nation where government entities work hand-in-hand to build the foundations of a diversified and resilient economy.' The initiative will be available exclusively to UAE-based private-sector corporates, with funding eligibility contingent on a core set of strategic criteria designed to maximise national impact. To qualify, companies must operate within the manufacturing sector and either generate or demonstrate a clear pathway toward export-based income, reinforcing the partnership's shared goal of accelerating the UAE's non-oil export growth. About Emirates Development Bank: Emirates Development Bank (EDB), the UAE's development bank, is a key financial engine for the UAE's economic development and industrial advancement. EDB provides financial and non-financial support to businesses of all sizes—from start-ups and SMEs to corporates—driving economic competitiveness across five strategic priority sectors: advanced technology, food security, healthcare, renewables, and manufacturing. As the first local bank in the UAE to be Great Place to Work-certified, EDB nurtures a high-trust, high-performance culture that drives both business growth and social impact. EDB was established under Federal Law by Decree No. 07 of 2011 issued by the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and became operational in June 2015. About ADEX: Established by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) in 2019, the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX) offers financing solutions to Emirati exporters to help increase the country's export volume and promote UAE export business in the global markets. ADEX's mandate includes providing credit facilities to overseas buyers and importers via direct and indirect loans and guarantees, thereby enhancing the export sector's pivotal economic role and promoting its global competitiveness. This is in line with the UAE's economic diversification strategy. The entity also seeks to expand the range of locally made exported goods and services, being among the main pillars of the country's sustainable development.
Al Etihad
19-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
ADEX–EDB partnership to unlock Dh1 billion in export financing for UAE industries
19 May 2025 21:42 ABU DHABI (WAM)Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), part of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), and Emirates Development Bank (EDB), the UAE's key financial engine for economic diversification and industrial transformation, have signed a strategic partnership agreement to deploy Dh1 billion over the coming years to UAE-based exporters and agreement was witnessed by Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and Chairman of the Exports Executive Committee at the Abu Dhabi Exports Office. It was signed by Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Development Bank, and Khalil Fadel Al Mansoori, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Exports during the Make it in the Emirates, the agreement marks a strategic partnership between two of the country's most important export enablers. It will enable UAE companies, particularly private-sector manufacturers, to expand into global markets by supporting capital expenditure, accelerating export-led growth, and contribute to the UAE's economic diversification strategic initiative is directly aligned with the UAE's National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology, which aims to increase the industrial sector's contribution to GDP, accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies and transform the UAE into a regional and global hub for future this partnership, both institutions will combine their expertise and resources to deliver innovative financing tools tailored to the needs of local exporters, ensuring a robust support system that fosters long-term growth and global Mohamed Al Naqbi, CEO of Emirates Development Bank, said: 'This partnership with ADEX gives UAE manufacturers with export ambitions the scale, certainty, and strategic backing they need to grow beyond borders. At EDB, we've already committed more than Dh18.7 billion in financing since 2021, helping to catalyse Dh64 billion in capital expenditure and supporting over 32,000 industrial jobs across the country. This agreement builds on that momentum, reinforcing our role as a national enabler of sustainable industrial growth and extending our support to the export-ready businesses shaping the next chapter of the UAE's economic story.'Khalil Al Mansouri, Executive Director of Abu Dhabi Exports Office, added: 'Our vision at ADEX has always been to position the UAE as a trusted and competitive global trade partner. This collaboration with Emirates Development Bank will directly support that goal by empowering UAE exporters with the financing required to access new markets and scale their operations. "We are grateful to EDB for their partnership, and proud that this initiative reflects the UAE's growing maturity as an exporting nation where government entities work hand-in-hand to build the foundations of a diversified and resilient economy.' The initiative will be available exclusively to UAE-based private-sector corporates, with funding eligibility contingent on a core set of strategic criteria designed to maximise national impact. To qualify, companies must operate within the manufacturing sector and either generate or demonstrate a clear pathway toward export-based income, reinforcing the partnership's shared goal of accelerating the UAE's non-oil export growth. Make it in the Emirates Continue full coverage
