UAE Crisis Response Has Reinforced Global Investor Confidence, Says Minister of Sports and Emirates Growth Fund Chairman: Make It In The Emirates 2026
“In the UAE, we truly believe that nothing beats doing business.”
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The UAE’s ability to remain operational despite crises is strengthening global investor confidence and reinforcing its position as a stable hub for business, H.E. Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chairman of Emirates Growth Fund, said during a fireside chat on Day 1 of the fifth edition of Make It In The Emirates.
Al Falasi said recent geopolitical tensions have not derailed the UAE’s non-oil growth ambitions, but instead served as a test of its stability.
“The UAE has been proving its resilience, be it through the recent flooding that has happened, be it through the COVID-19 [pandemic], and I think going through tough times and coming out stronger sends a very strong message to global investors and to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well,” Al Falasi stated.
“The airport never shut down. It was always operational,” he continued, adding that the UAE also secured alternative cargo channels through its ports to maintain supply chains.
Meanwhile, in terms of supporting the SMEs, Al Falasi said the government’s focus must shift beyond providing temporary financial relief to ensuring companies can continue operating and growing.
“In the UAE, we truly believe that nothing beats doing business. Nothing beats access to the market. You can always offer, sometimes a temporary solution, but that will not only keep the company afloat,” Al Falasi emphasized. “If you want it to grow, you keep your efforts open. You keep your business open. I think that’s the best way companies thrive.”
He mentioned that the UAE is stepping up support for SMEs through patient capital and strategic investments, particularly with the existing AED1 billion growth equity platform launched by Emirates Growth Fund, which he said is seeing strong demand.
Under the model, government-linked entities often take equity stakes ranging from 20% to 49% and assign executive oversight to improve governance and strengthen operations. The official said this approach is designed to help SMEs transition from founder-led businesses into more institutional and scalable companies.
“We also bring expertise – global expertise – to give them operational depth and also open up markets for them, giving out connections,” he added.
Al Falasi concluded by sharing that the focus now must not only be on funding, but on deploying “growth capital” that brings operational value beyond equity investment.
The UAE’s ability to remain operational despite crises is strengthening global investor confidence and reinforcing its position as a stable hub for business, H.E. Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chairman of Emirates Growth Fund, said during a fireside chat on Day 1 of the fifth edition of Make It In The Emirates.
Al Falasi said recent geopolitical tensions have not derailed the UAE’s non-oil growth ambitions, but instead served as a test of its stability.
“The UAE has been proving its resilience, be it through the recent flooding that has happened, be it through the COVID-19 [pandemic], and I think going through tough times and coming out stronger sends a very strong message to global investors and to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well,” Al Falasi stated.
