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Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development Offers $30 Million to Support Kenya SMEs

Under the agreement, more than 3,000 projects with 40 percent allocated for women will be financed. WAM
Under the agreement, more than 3,000 projects with 40 percent allocated for women will be financed. WAM
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Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development Offers $30 Million to Support Kenya SMEs

Under the agreement, more than 3,000 projects with 40 percent allocated for women will be financed. WAM
Under the agreement, more than 3,000 projects with 40 percent allocated for women will be financed. WAM

The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) and Kenya’s National Treasury & Planning Ministry have signed a AED 110 million ($30 million) financing agreement to empower the Kenyan Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

Signed in the attendance of President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya by Alia Al Mazrouei, CEO of KFED, and Ukur Kanacho Yatani, Cabinet Secretary, National Treasury & Planning Ministry, the agreement aims to promote entrepreneurship and develop Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya.

The move is in implementation of directives of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Al Mazrouei said the financing agreement, which embodies the close friendship ties between the UAE and Kenya, aims to support the Kenyan government efforts in economic development, promote innovation and innovative projects, create job opportunities for youth in addition to unlock their potentials, develop their skills and empower them to contribute in building a sustainable, sable national economy, WAM reported.

''We aim to support the Kenyan government efforts to achieve economic development through enhancing the SMEs sector, and spreading the culture of entrepreneurship among youth and women's empowerment,'' she added.

Under the agreement, she continued, more than 3,000 projects with 40 percent allocated for women will be financed and expected to generate nearly 13,000 job opportunities for the Kenyan youth.

She underscored the UAE's commitment to support the official development efforts of the least developed countries, and to enable them to enhance their economic performance, in order to achieve economic and social stability, which positively affects the global economy and international stability.

For his part, Ukur Yatani expressed his appreciation to the UAE for the support, which will enable many segments of society, including women and youth, to contribute positively to building their country's economic future, praising the strong relations that unite the two friendly countries.

He explained that such agreements will have a positive impact, helping advance development in rural areas, support the launch of projects, create job opportunities in the future, and deliver comprehensive growth to reduce poverty.

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Chip Powerhouse Taiwan Calls for Economic Partnership Deal with EU

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at the annual Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Taiwan November 18, 2024. (Reuters)
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at the annual Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Taiwan November 18, 2024. (Reuters)
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Chip Powerhouse Taiwan Calls for Economic Partnership Deal with EU

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at the annual Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Taiwan November 18, 2024. (Reuters)
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at the annual Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Taiwan November 18, 2024. (Reuters)

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te called on Monday for the signing of an economic partnership agreement with the European Union, saying it would boost cooperation in semiconductors and that as democracies the two sides should be working together.

Taiwan has pushed for the signing of investment and trade deals with the EU, in what would be politically significant for Taiwan given its diplomatic isolation and general exclusion from most global bodies and agreements.

For its part, the EU has been courting Taiwan as a "like-minded" partner under the European Chips Act to encourage more semiconductor production in Europe and lessen dependence on Asia, despite the lack of formal ties with the Chinese-claimed island.

Speaking at a Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Lai said that facing the threat of expanding authoritarianism, Taiwan and the EU must form a "strong democratic umbrella" and build secure supply chains for global democracies.

"Looking to the future, Taiwan hopes to take an innovative approach towards the signing of an economic partnership agreement with the EU," he said.

Such an agreement would set a sound institutional basis for further cooperation in fields such as semiconductors and AI, Lai added.

"This would not only make both our economies more resilient and secure, but also ensure the stable operation of global supply chains."

Taiwanese investment in EU has been anchored by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), which in August launched a major new chip plant in Dresden, Germany, expected to be a key supplier to European industry and automakers.

Maria Martin-Prat, deputy head of the European Commission's directorate general for trade, made no mention of signing such a deal with Taiwan in a video message to the investment event, though she did praise bilateral relations.

"Taiwan, a vibrant democracy with an open economy, is a trusted partner for us to promote our economic security," she said.

Taiwan has few free trade agreements, though last year it signed an Enhanced Trade Partnership with Britain and has applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP.