Emirates Development Bank (EDB) together with Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa) and Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) announced the launch of Sheraa’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Advanced Manufacturing and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG). This first-of-its-kind initiative in the UAE aims to advance the nation’s vision for innovation in the manufacturing industry by incubating and enabling the growth of advanced manufacturing startups while fostering an entrepreneurship culture in the country.

The new collaboration between the three strategic partners was marked by a group signing ceremony held at the EDB Connect-Sharjah Edition, represented by Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, EDB’s CEO; Najla Ahmed Al Midfa, CEO of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa); and Mohamed Al Awadhi, Director-General of SCCI.

Together, EDB, Sheraa and SCCI will support the establishment and growth of startups in advanced manufacturing and facilitate essential connections between startups, industry leaders, and partners through tailored matchmaking initiatives and networking events, ensuring that startups have the resources and connections they need to thrive.

The CoE for Advanced Manufacturing and CPG will provide an array of services for startups from knowledge-sharing to market access to financing, to enable and support their growth from the nascent stages to more established phases. For early-stage businesses, EDB will provide SME incubation for up to three years, which includes startup equity financing support and microfinance options to cover machinery and setup costs, in line with EDB’s mandate and credit policies. For more established SMEs, EDB will offer preferential financing terms for equipment purchases and working capital needs, alongside project financing for business expansion, including long grace periods of up to two years.

Also under the new partnership, SCCI will facilitate market entry and export opportunities, as well as provide industry expertise and support in conducting market research, while Sheraa will orchestrate the implementation of valuable programs and offerings under the CoE, be responsible for selecting startups and entrepreneurs, and offering them mentorship and guidance with industry experts.

Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi commented, “The launch of the UAE’s first Centre of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing and CPG, in collaboration with Sheraa and the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a foundational pillar designed to accelerate the adoption of advanced manufacturing techniques among UAE-based enterprises, in turn enhancing the in-country value of their offerings.

“By providing startups with access to critical resources such as mentoring, market access, capacity building, and research support, we are nurturing a robust ecosystem that aligns with the UAE’s aspirations to be a global leader in future technologies and industrial innovation.”

Najla Ahmed Al Midfa commented, “Sheraa’s Centre of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing and CPG underscores Sheraa’s commitment to driving innovation within Sharjah’s and the UAE’s manufacturing sectors. This partnership fuels a new era of entrepreneurial spirit, dovetailing with Sharjah’s strategic vision to be a crucible for pioneering businesses. It will serve as a catalyst in empowering startups to redefine industry innovation and bolster Sharjah’s position as a beacon of sustainable economic progress.”

For his part, Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al Awadi reaffirmed that the Chamber is committed to expanding its strategic partnerships with the aim of consolidating efforts to provide enhanced support to entrepreneurs and drive entrepreneurial growth across key sectors.

This involves creating a supportive environment conducive to the growth and prosperity of startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), encouraging them to engage and venture into innovation-driven industrial sectors.

Al Awadi asserted that the Sheraa Centre of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing and CPG is a high-calibre and quality initiative that could significantly elevate the UAE’s sustainable industrial growth.

Sheraa’s Centre of Excellence will offer a robust framework for promoting and participating in manufacturing events and activities. Access to EDB’s data will support market analysis, business model validation, and technological refinement for startups, while the collaboration with SCCI will propel the startups to export. Specialised capacity-building programmes with industry experts and mentorship will equip startups with essential skills and knowledge to scale and navigate the manufacturing sector.

A day earlier, in partnership with MoIAT’s “Make it in the Emirates” initiative, Emirates Development Bank (EDB or the Bank), on Monday hosted the highly anticipated Sharjah edition of EDB Connect at the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park, convening key industry leaders, government officials, and business innovators to discuss, debate, and shape the future of Sharjah’s economy with a focus on how strategic partnerships can empower sustainable growth.

EDB Connect is a series of forums organised by EDB in partnership with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology’s “Make it in the Emirates” initiative. The forums aim to foster collaboration between government entities and private sector companies to drive UAE’s national economic growth and diversification.

Held under the theme of “Fostering Strategic Partnerships to Shape Sharjah’s Sustainable Economic Landscape,” the day’s agenda explored how federal and local efforts, along with dynamic public-private partnerships, can foster an ecosystem that attracts businesses and investments. Focused sessions highlighted the role of strategic partnerships in driving economic growth and innovation, as well as the mechanisms supporting entrepreneurs and driving the emirate’s emergence as a leading incubator for startups and SMEs in the region.