UAE government doubles down on its bet on small business

With corporate taxes now in effect and regional uncertainty rattling investor confidence, Al Falasi acknowledged the headwinds facing SMEs, but pushed back firmly on the idea that the government is stepping back.

“Nothing beats access to market,” he said. “You can always offer a temporary solution, but that would not keep a company alive if it wanted to grow.”

The Emirates Growth Fund was designed to address what Al Falasi described as the “missing middle” of SME financing, companies that have outgrown…