Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital, cemented its status as a leading global business hub with the inaugural Abu Dhabi Business Week (ADBW). The event was held from December 4 to 6 at the ADNEC Center Abu Dhabi under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
Hosted by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) — in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) — ADBW convened policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and investors across various sectors to tackle topics across ten impactful events under the theme “Deliver Value. Create Impact”.
“The emirate’s economy is going from strength to strength, reaffirming its resilience and proactive approach to addressing developments that are influencing and reshaping the global economy,” His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of ADDED and ADCCI, remarked.
He added, “By bringing together business leaders from around the world, Abu Dhabi Business Week is providing a powerful platform for collaboration, networking, and innovation and demonstrates the emirate’s determination to foster a business-friendly environment that provides ample opportunities and enables ambitious businesses to grow and expand.”
A promising pilot edition
The eventful first day of ADBW proved to be a promising launchpad for the first edition of the landmark business event.
The Abu Dhabi Business Summit, one of the highlights of the day, served as an avenue for speakers and participants to explore various trends shaping the future of business.
In this gathering, H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE minister of State for Foreign Trade, delivered a keynote address where he underscored the vital role that partnerships play in attaining economic prosperity. These partnerships include collaborations among public and private sectors, between the corporate world and academia, and among nations.
The summit also hosted several panel discussions and fireside chats, with topics ranging from building billion-dollar businesses and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to the importance of storytelling in business.
In Innovation Xchange, ADBW offered a platform for sharing innovative ideas. This event emphasized that as the world witnesses the emergence of more advanced technologies like blockchain and AI, growth opportunities are also expanding.
A highlight of this gathering is a panel discussion titled “Edge Computing: Accelerating Real-Time Decision-Making”. It saw senior leaders from Microsoft, Khalifa University, Vanar, and Analog share their insights into the role of technology in enhancing the decision-making process.
ADBW Day 1 also featured Marketing Lab, which focused on sales and marketing strategies, including PR, digital marketing, data science, and brand development. Here, industry experts dissected emerging trends and provided actionable steps that will help businesses grow.
Business Exhibition Ecosystem was another major event that hosted local manufacturers, suppliers, and leading international companies. The goal is to showcase the untapped potential of the industrial ecosystem and help Abu Dhabi-based suppliers gain insights from overseas service providers.
Spotlight on major growth drivers
Apart from the Business Exhibition Ecosystem, Day 2 saw ADBW focus on key sectors like manufacturing and industrialization, family businesses, and entrepreneurship.
The Global Manufacturing and Industrialization Summit (GMIS) served as a premier cross-industrial and cross-functional platform featuring keynotes from prominent figures. These include GMIS Co-Chairs H.E. Osama Amir Mohamed Fadhel, assistant undersecretary for Industrial Accelerator at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), and Luomei Shu, director at Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs) and Institutional Partnerships, United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
In one of the panel discussions titled “Make It In the Emirates: A Future-Ready Ecosystem”, experts from MoIAT, ADDED, and Siemens Energy talked about the UAE’s industrial growth and investment strategies.
The Abu Dhabi Procurement Forum, another flagship event, turned the spotlight on the major procurement priorities of the UAE capital. Various topics were covered in this gathering, including resilient supply chains, innovative talent management, and agile procurement transformations and best practices.
One of the panels saw the ADIO present various industrial opportunities in Abu Dhabi. The panel discussion was titled “Anchoring Investment: ADIO’s Blueprint for a Thriving Industrial Ecosystem”.
ADBW also hosted the Family Business Forum on the second day, where key sessions were held to discuss the various challenges faced by family-owned conglomerates and businesses. Hosted by the ADCCI the forum shed light on how women are shaping the future of leadership in family businesses, how vital family offices are in unlocking economic potential, and how future generations can continue the legacy of family enterprises.
ADBW Day 2 also had an event called Startup Sprint, where participants had the opportunity to learn from accomplished entrepreneurs and investors. It also featured intensive boot camps and masterclasses led by industry experts.
The second day also hosted the Al Multaqa Quarterly Meeting. Here, ADCCI unveiled its new roadmap, which will focus on fostering innovation, supporting talent, and encouraging entrepreneurship to drive business growth.
ADBW earns praises from officials
The inaugural ADBW’s concluding day featured an invite-only event called the Founders Club.
Exclusively for youth, attendees had the opportunity to engage in networking sessions and build connections with both peers and seasoned professionals. Apart from motivational talks, the event also featured interactive activities aimed at nurturing creativity, sparking collaboration, and promoting personal growth.
On the last day of ADBW, officials also lauded the event. They touted it as a strategic platform that convened local and international investors and provided them with an avenue for exploring investment opportunities aligned with global economic trends.
Hareb Mubarak Almheiri, executive director at ADIO, noted the office’s role in attracting high-net-worth individuals and entrepreneurs. Among their initiatives are global promotional tours and cooperation agreements that link international investors with local partners.
Additionally, Almheiri emphasized growing investor interest in Abu Dhabi’s industrial and real estate sectors, along with rising investments in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). He also revealed that ADIO is expanding investment opportunities in AI, agriculture, and food security.
To streamline the investment process, ADIO is offering services like commercial license issuance, visa facilitation, and bank account setup.
Meanwhile, Wadima Almashghouni, senior project manager at the Abu Dhabi Projects and Infrastructure Center, stressed the importance of private sector participation in major projects, which strengthens public-private partnerships to support sustainable growth not only in Abu Dhabi but also in the broader UAE.
According to Almashghouni, the center oversees over 600 government projects in sectors like education, housing, infrastructure, and tourism. These are valued at more than AED200 billion. In 2023, the year when the center was established, it delivered 71 projects worth AED14 billion.
Key announcements
A testament to ADBW’s success is the list of announcements and major milestones unlocked during the three-day event.
As stated, the ADCCI launched its 2025-2027 Roadmap, a forward-thinking initiative “designed for the private sector by the private sector”. The roadmap aims to boost SMEs by enhancing support mechanisms and helping them increase their competitiveness both in the local and global markets.
The roadmap’s objectives also include accelerating key sectors that drive diversification and sustainability, fostering family business growth, and reducing administrative hurdles to further promote ease of doing business.
Another key announcement was the establishment of the Abu Dhabi Family Business Council. The council will support family-run businesses, highlighting Abu Dhabi’s commitment to recognizing family businesses as an integral part of its economic narrative.
According to Al Zaabi, the council will focus on “enhancing Abu Dhabi’s legacy, driving excellence, and empowering a new generation of leaders for future readiness.”
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi showcased its dedication to simplifying business operations with the launch of the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA). Serving as a centralized system, it will unify registration across free zones, enhance transparency, and simplify investor processes.
The launch of the MZN Hub was also one of the biggest announcements at ADBW 2024. Spearheaded by the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, this initiative aims to nurture high-potential startups. The hub will have three components: the MZN Venture Studios, Light Manufacturing Unite, and MZN Venture Capital.
Commenting on these major announcements, Al Zaabi remarked, “We are accelerating [economic] momentum. These four strategic initiatives collectively form the foundational core of the broader economic landscape of Abu Dhabi.”
He further noted that these are “catalysts that encourage the growth of existing businesses and those that are yet to exist.”
More milestones
During ADBW 2024, Abu Dhabi also introduced a Golden Vendor list to boost local procurement and encourage investment in domestic businesses. Additionally, the NMDC Group launched a new business unit, NMDC LTS, as part of its ongoing growth and innovation strategy.
In addition, the event also saw the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) sign a strategic agreement with MoIAT, ADDED, ADIO, and ADCCI to strengthen local manufacturing capabilities.
All these announcements signify Abu Dhabi’s relentless pursuit of economic diversification and business empowerment. Moreover, these milestones build upon the UAE capital’s recent economic performance. In the second quarter of 2024, the city recorded a GDP growth of 4.1 percent, reaching AED297 billion. Meanwhile, its non-oil sector expanded by 6.6 percent.
Though only in its pilot year, the ADBW shows strong potential to further elevate Abu Dhabi’s status as a global business powerhouse.
