The United Arab Emirates has reinforced its commitment to economic diversification by mobilising more than Dh33 billion in national funding programmes to strengthen tourism-led growth, support entrepreneurship, and generate employment across key sectors.
The initiative, highlighted under the UAE’s flagship “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign with the theme “Our Winter is Entrepreneurial”, positions tourism not only as a driver of visitor inflows but also as a catalyst for business development, innovation, and SME expansion.
Table of Contents
Tourism as a Growth Engine for the UAE Economy
Tourism has emerged as one of the UAE’s most resilient and high-impact sectors, contributing significantly to GDP while supporting industries such as hospitality, retail, transport, leisure, and technology. By integrating tourism promotion with enterprise funding, the UAE aims to ensure that economic benefits extend beyond visitor numbers to long-term job creation and private-sector growth.
Government-backed financial institutions and development agencies are playing a central role in this strategy, offering entrepreneurs access to funding, training, incubation services, and market opportunities.
Key Institutions Driving the Funding Push
Several federal and emirate-level entities are contributing to the Dh33 billion funding ecosystem:
- Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development has supported over 1,200 firms in Abu Dhabi, providing financial assistance, advisory services, and job creation opportunities since its establishment.
- Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (Dubai SME) has funded hundreds of projects since 2015 and aims to support tens of thousands of Emirati businesses by 2033 through financing, licensing facilitation, training, and access to government procurement.
- Emirates Development Bank (EDB) has disbursed approximately Dh30 billion to more than 13,500 companies, contributing significantly to national GDP growth and industrial expansion.
- Sharjah’s RUWAD Foundation, operating under the Sharjah Economic Development Department, continues to nurture SME development by providing training, project financing, and entrepreneurial support.
Collectively, these institutions form a comprehensive support framework designed to help startups and SMEs scale sustainably, particularly in tourism-linked and innovation-driven sectors.
Supporting SMEs and Startups Through Policy Integration
The “Our Winter is Entrepreneurial” theme underscores a broader policy objective: integrating tourism marketing with enterprise development. By aligning peak tourism seasons with business funding initiatives, the UAE encourages startups, family businesses, and innovative ventures to capitalise on increased demand and global exposure.
This approach strengthens the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem while reinforcing its reputation as a global destination for investment, talent, and business formation.
A Strategic Step Towards Economic Diversification
The Dh33 billion funding mobilisation reflects the UAE’s long-term economic vision to reduce reliance on traditional sectors and expand private-sector participation. By leveraging tourism as a platform for entrepreneurship and employment, the country continues to position itself as a leading hub for business, innovation, and sustainable economic growth.
As global travel rebounds and investor confidence remains strong, the UAE’s integrated tourism-enterprise strategy is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the next phase of national development.
