Sharjah:The Sharjah Foundation to Support Pioneering Entrepreneurs (Ruwad), affiliated with the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD), financed 10 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a total of AED3.727 million in the third quarter of 2026.
According to Emirates News Agency, Ruwad's report highlighted the addition of 168 new projects to its membership, along with 490 Eitimad license transactions and 307 e-commerce licenses. The report also noted that 351 entrepreneurs participated in skill-building programs, and 51 business owners received specialized consultations.
During this period, member projects secured 198 contracts with 33 government entities in Sharjah, totaling AED1.971 million. Hamad Ali Abdullah Al Mahmoud, Chairman of SEDD, emphasized the integration of efforts to enhance the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the emirate, providing a supportive environment for SMEs to grow and expand.
Ruwad's diverse services, including financing, training, and consultations, aim to empower entrepreneurs and support their transformation into sustainable businesses. The foundation's Project Financing Committee approved financing for 10 projects after reviewing applications, with nine projects receiving direct financing and one project benefiting from indirect financing through a bank.
New memberships spanned across commercial and professional sectors, with projects owned by both male and female entrepreneurs. The foundation also issued and renewed numerous Eitimad and e-commerce licenses, while providing business premises to several projects.
In addition to securing government contracts, Ruwad intensified its community initiatives and participation in external events, such as the AIM Investment Summit in Abu Dhabi and various educational discussions, to promote entrepreneurship and strategic partnerships.
