The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Al Ain branch has launched a new initiative focused on empowering small enterprises across the Al Ain region. Aimed at supporting businesses in key sectors—including retail, tourism, and agriculture—this initiative underlines the Chamber’s growing commitment to inclusive regional development .
Hands-On Engagement for Real Impact
Rather than relying solely on surveys or remote consultations, the Chamber embraced a field-first approach: its team conducted on-site visits to a diverse range of local businesses. The tour included retail centers like Hili Mall, Bawadi Mall, Al Ain Mall, as well as hospitality, tourism, and creative enterprises such as Ayla Grand Hotel, Deep Café, Could Be Flower & Café, and the Al Narjes Nursery ecosystem—which includes SILO Bakery & Coffee, POFA Café, Chai Jamr, Al Narjes Vegetables, and handcraft ventures.
As Shamis Ali Al Dhaheri, Second Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Chamber, explained:
“At the Abu Dhabi Chamber, we see entrepreneurs and small enterprises as essential pillars of a resilient and future‑ready economy. These field visits are more than a listening exercise – they are a platform for real partnership” .
From Feedback to Strategy
The initiative identified nine key opportunities to enhance the local business ecosystem. These insights will inform data-driven trade policy, tailoring support services more precisely to the real needs of small business owners in Al Ain.
Why It Matters
- Local Focus, Regional Reach: While Abu Dhabi previously focused more heavily on city-based businesses, this project signals a tangible shift toward inclusive economic development that uplifts regional hubs like Al Ain.
- Sectoral Diversity: By engaging businesses from agriculture to tourism, the Chamber gains a holistic understanding of Al Ain’s economic fabric—making support more robust and relevant.
- Building Trust Through Presence: In-person engagement deepens relationships and leads to more practical, trusted partnerships between the Chamber and enterprise owners.
Broader Context of SME Support
This initiative is part of a wider strategy by the Chamber to back SMEs and startups across the emirate:
- A Startups & SMEs Working Group, established in early 2024, continues to monitor the challenges of private-sector entrepreneurship and guide innovation-driven growth across Abu Dhabi .
- Plans for a digital platform—dubbed the “House of Innovation”—aim to connect SMEs with larger companies, encourage AI and green-economy readiness, and facilitate bulk procurement opportunities .
- A strategic collaboration with e& UAE launched in 2024 is enhancing SMEs’ access to digital services, telecom solutions, cybersecurity, and digital payments via tailored packages and preferential offers to Chamber members.
Looking Ahead
This ground-level initiative in Al Ain is not a one-off. It reflects a broader ambition by Abu Dhabi to:
- Strengthen SMEs and entrepreneurs as core drivers of economic diversification.
- Enhance policy-making through direct engagement and local presence.
- Support sustainable, sectoral growth in alignment with the UAE’s economic vision.
By leveraging real-world feedback and targeting local opportunities, the Chamber is helping small businesses in Al Ain thrive—and positioning the region as a vital engine of innovation and inclusive growth.