AD Economic Council and Department of Economic organizes open forum to motivate and support food truck entrepreneurs

The Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development (ADCED) has organized a virtual meeting with several food truck owners in Abu Dhabi as well as the support they need for their business to continue and contribute to the growth of the services sector in the emirate.

The session witnessed the participation of H.E. Rashed Abdul Karim Al Balooshi, Undersecretary of ADDED along with H.E. Dagher Darwish Al Marar, Director General of ADCED, and the representatives of the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, and ADNOC Distribution.

This session coincides with the circular issued by ADDED on the terms and conditions regulating the food trucks activities in the emirate, during which several concerns were raised regarding the conduct of their business. They also discussed the types of support being provided for the sector which will enable them to continue delivering excellent services to the public and how they contribute to promoting the emirate’s local culture. 

H.E. Al Balooshi, Undersecretary of ADDED, said that the meeting is part of a series of meetings being held with the private sector, organized by ADCED to address the challenges for different sectors, particularly the micro small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which is one of the key drivers of Abu Dhabi’s economy.

H.E. further explained that food trucks are a robust business for local entrepreneurs and the terms and conditions issued by the Department as a precautionary measure to help curb the spread of COVID-19 will ensure the continuity of their commercial activities while protecting the health and safety of community members who continue to patronize food trucks.

H.E. Dagher Darwish Al Marar, Director General of ADCED reiterated the Council’s commitment to follow through the needs of local food truck owners, adding that the Council will conduct the necessary study that will provide further knowledge about the popular business enterprise in Abu Dhabi and across the country. 

H.E. Al Marar added that the study will be used to help enhance the services sector and at the same time provide opportunity for citizens to engage in business and see challenges as a means to create investment opportunities. He further cited the emirate’s new economic legislations which have led to the creation of several investment opportunities for citizen entrepreneurs.

Several entrepreneurs highlighted the most prominent challenges they are facing since the precautionary measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 have been implemented. They raised some of their most important concerns, particularly in providing support and facilitations from concerned government entities. They commended ADDED’s role in supporting this vital sector which paved the way for citizens to explore and gain experiences in this field.