The UAE’s Khalifa Fund has signed a $25 million agreement aimed at providing support for micro, small- and medium-sized enterprises in Niger.
Mahamadou Issoufou, President of Niger, recently met with Hussain Jasim Al Nowais, chairman of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development in Niger’s capital Niamey and lauded the growing relations and strong cooperation with the UAE in various fields.
The President also extended his thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, for his keenness to support the cooperation between both countries.
During the visit, Al Nowais and Saadou Sidou, Nigerien Minister of Trade and Private Sector Development, signed the aid agreement.
The Nigerien President said that the agreement will positively impact his government’s sustainable development and economic diversification, which are vital to the country’s economic stability.
On behalf of Sheikh Mohamed, Al Nowais wished continued progress and prosperity for Niger and its people.
Al Nowais further stated that the agreement will help Niger in its economic development efforts towards promoting a culture of entrepreneurship and supporting SME. He stressed that the agreement will provide creative and innovative young people in Niger with an opportunity to use their skills and talents to improve their lives and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, established in 2007 in Abu Dhabi, has become one of the leading institutions aimed at instilling a culture of entrepreneurship and supporting SMEs in the UAE. The fund has financed more than 1,400 projects within the country. Its successful experience has been transferred to Egypt, Chechnya, Jordan and, Belarus, Mali and Mauritania through pioneering financing and technical support programmes directed towards strengthening government efforts in these countries to achieve sustainable development and build a diversified and stable economy. – TradeArabia News Service
