The Ministry of Finance signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi. Moreover, the agreement aims to strengthen cooperation to support entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises accredited by the Fund and enable their participation in federal government procurement opportunities.
The MoU was signed by Younis Haji AlKhoori, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance, and Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, Chief Executive Officer of the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development. Additionally, the signing took place in the presence of Mariam Mohammed Al Amiri, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance for Government Financial Management.
Linking SMEs to federal supply chains
Younis Haji AlKhoori said, “The memorandum of understanding with the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development is part of the Ministry of Finance’s ongoing efforts to strengthen national partnerships that support entrepreneurs and SMEs, and to enable their active participation in the government procurement ecosystem. The Ministry is committed to providing a sustainable business environment that supports entrepreneurs and national ventures and opens new growth horizons through integration with federal supply chains.”
He added, “Cooperation with the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development is a significant step in the right direction towards linking SMEs to commercial opportunities available via the digital procurement platform and enabling them to benefit from the programmes and initiatives offered by the Ministry, in particular the Federal Catalogue and the Federal Suppliers Register.”
He further noted that efforts are under way to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the federal procurement system. Therefore, the Ministry seeks to ensure inclusiveness across the business community, with a particular focus on national entrepreneurs, in line with sustainability objectives.
Procurement access, training and registration support
Under the MoU, the Ministry of Finance will facilitate registration and framework agreements that allow entities to be listed in the Federal Catalogue of Products and Services. As a result, accredited enterprises will gain wider access to procurement opportunities across federal entities.
The Ministry will also support capacity building for entrepreneurs and SMEs. Additionally, it will issue awareness materials explaining registration in the Federal Suppliers Register, participation in tenders, available benefits, and relevant product and service categories.
Mouza Obaid Al Nasri said, “The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Finance marks a significant step in empowering Emirati small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and reinforces Khalifa Fund’s role as a key catalyst for economic diversification, sustainable growth, and long-term competitiveness.”
She added, “Through this collaboration, the Fund undertakes a pivotal role in preparing accredited SMEs and integrating them systematically into the federal government’s supply chains, enhancing their institutional readiness and innovation capacity, and turning them into key contributors to economic growth, expanding their participation in government procurement, and increasing their contribution to GDP. This participation is not merely a business opportunity, but a strategic tool to boost productivity, foster innovation, and build strong national companies capable of growing locally and competing regionally and globally.”
In return, the Khalifa Fund will encourage SMEs to register in the Federal Suppliers Register and promote procurement opportunities published through the digital platform. Moreover, the cooperation includes joint training workshops and coordination to align sector needs, supporting stronger SME participation in federal supply chains.
