ADDED Suhoor business gathering highlights achievements and growth opportunities

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) organised an intimate business Suhoor gathering bringing together prominent members from the UAE’s business and investment community, as part of ADDED’s continuous efforts in leading the Emirate’s economic agenda towards ensuring a sustainable economy. 

The ADDED’s Ramadan Suhoor, which was hosted by Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), addressed the economic impact and achievements in various sectors over the past year, economic strategic planning and execution, licensing policies and regulations    by Abu Dhabi to accelerate the development of a knowledge and innovation-based economy. The ADDED leadership further discussed future strategic initiatives to continue guiding the Department’s impact and roadmap.

H.E. Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, Undersecretary of ADDED, said: “Abu Dhabi’s business-supportive environment has reflected its determination in overcoming many challenges. Our economic performance in 2021 shows the fast and solid recovery of sectors affected by Covid-19, thanks to our leadership’s vision and initiatives to mitigate negative impacts of the global pandemic on the local economy”. 

“We are forging ahead with plans to foster businesses in key priority sectors to expand and accelerate our economic diversification strategy. In the past few months, Abu Dhabi has taken great strides by launching new legislations, policies, and initiatives to strengthen its position as preferred destination for business and investments”.

H.E. Sameh Al Qubaisi, Director General of Economic Affairs at ADDED, said: “We continuously seek unconventional and effective channels to enhance public-private sector partnerships to stimulate the economy and ensure a robust business ecosystem. Our initiatives, to name a few include, facilitating ease of doing business by reducing costs and requirements, simplifying procedures, and enabling seamless integration of government services, developing economic clusters to stimulate innovation, international talent attraction programmes, residents’ engagement and golden visas provided by Abu Dhabi Residents Office, the Lifelong Learning programme, private sector Emiratisation drives and enhanced health insurance regulations.”

H.E. Al Qubaisi explains further, “Moreover, with FDIs increasing, strategic financial sector support initiatives like the Abu Dhabi IPO Fund, which aims to expand funding options to private companies and assist with listings on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), combined with the newly approved regulatory framework governing Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs), are expected to contribute to growth opportunities for Abu Dhabi and UAE-based businesses.”

Addressing the session, H.E Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC) has referred to NAFIS, the federal programme that aims to increase the competitiveness of the Emirati workforce and empower them to occupy jobs in the private sector, witnessed a noteworthy participation from Emirati job seekers and private sector companies with promising job opportunities. H.E Al Mazrouei said: “NAFIS has already made significant progress in only a few months since its launch. This emphasises the programme's, benefits and importance as a platform that improves the job search and application process by linking Emirati job seekers with private sector employers seeking qualified talents. And the role it plays in achieving UAE nationals' aspirations and providing them with the opportunity to pursue a career that matches their skills and capabilities.”