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ABU DHABI / Emirates Business
HE Hussain Jasim Al Nowais, Chairman of Khalifa Fund Enterprise Development (KFED) received a delegation from the Republic of Mali headed by
HE Dr Boubou Cisse, Prime Minister of Mali at the Khalifa Fund headquarters in Abu Dhabi to explore and learn more about the fund’s experiences in initiating the culture of leadership among UAE citizens and developing the SME sector in the country.
The Mali delegation discussed with the fund the opportunity to share the success of the model and how it can be replicated to support the economy in Mali. KFED has recently finalised its agreement with the Mali government on the operational framework of the $25 million financing agreement signed between the fund and Mali government in January this year.
The two parties signed the operational framework of the agreement in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
HE Al Nowais shared that the agreement provides the financing and technical framework needed to support the efforts of the Mali Government to enhance and promote a culture of entrepreneurship and empower SMEs and micro enterprises in Mali.
He added that these facilities will significantly increase awareness about entrepreneurship and innovation; equip the youth with training and support; create new job opportunities; improve the role of women in the economic sector and enhance their role in supporting and promoting the development efforts within the poorest regions in Mali.