Kezad’s $31m initiative to scale up SMEs in Abu Dhabi

Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (Kezad Group), a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-listed AD Ports Group, is investing AED112 million ($31 million) to help small and medium enterprises in the emirate scale up.

The SME Hub, located in Kezad A (Al Ma’mourah), will be completed by the end of 2026, Kezad Group said in a statement.

The centre aims to support the transition from startup to scaled production and distribution within an integrated economic zone. It will include 175 flexible, business-ready micro industrial units starting at 100 square metres.

SMEs make up about 98 percent of Abu Dhabi’s businesses, employ 46 percent of the workforce and contribute 43 percent of the emirate’s non-oil economy.

The SME sector is projected to grow to 1 million enterprises by 2030, the statement said.

SME growth is a top priority for Abu Dhabi, said Abdullah Al Hameli, the CEO of Economic Cities & Free Zones, AD Ports Group.

The SME Hub will serve as a launchpad for SMEs, providing resources and support needed to grow in a competitive market, he said.

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Kezad Group has also signed a memorandum of understanding with Emirates Growth Fund, backed by the state-run Emirates Development Bank, to help high-potential SMEs access resources, infrastructure and guidance to scale their operations and compete in wider regional and global markets.

In April Kezad Group secured five new industrial and logistics projects across Al Ain and Abu Dhabi.

Listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange since 2022, AD Ports is 75.42 percent owned by ADQ, a unit of L’imad, an Abu Dhabi sovereign investment holding company.

Shares of AD Ports were trading 0.2 percent lower at AED4.23 on Thursday morning. They are down 11 percent so far this year.