Deals to strengthen UAE industrial resilience and scale the nation’s manufacturing SMEs
EGF’s presence at MIITE 2026 was anchored by three landmark developments. The official launch of the National Champions Program established EGF’s flagship initiative as the structured pathway for UAE manufacturers to access the capital, governance support, and institutional backing needed to scale.
Together, these commitments represent EGF’s most consequential week since its establishment — and a clear statement of where EGF stands at the centre of the UAE’s industrial growth agenda, operating as an active partner in building what UAE manufacturing can become.
“The distinctive programs and strategic partnerships signed during ‘Make it in the Emirates 2026’ mark a significant step forward in our commitment to enhancing the resilience, efficiency and global competitiveness of the UAE’s industrial sector,” stressed HE Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the Emirates Growth Fund
Official launch
The National Champions Program (NCP) was officially launched at MIITE 2026 in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and the Ministry of Economy and Tourism.
The launch was presided over by H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and EGF Chairman, alongside HE Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and HE Najla Al Midfa, Vice Chair and Managing Director, EGF.
Roundtable
It was followed by a high-level Manufacturing Roundtable that convened government leadership, institutional partners, and a curated group of UAE manufacturers identified as National Champions Program candidates — marking the NCP not just as a program announcement, but as a working commitment backed by the country’s most senior industrial stakeholders.
“The partnerships we have formalised, the program we have launched, and the commitments we have made alongside MOIAT and ADNOC are all in service of the same goal: giving UAE manufacturers with real potential the capital, the structure,” added Khalifa Al Hajeri, Chief Executive Officer, Emirates Growth Fund.
