ADIB BusinessPulse Event Guides SME Success

Abu Dhabi, 11 April 2014: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), a top-tier financial institution, has recently organised a seminar specifically for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to discuss the particular challenges and opportunities facing emerging companies in the UAE's manufacturing sector, and the importance of good financial management.

The seminar, which was the second one to be organized this year, as an initiative from BusinessPulse, an online portal specifically designed for SMEs and hosted by ADIB and Zawya Thomson Reuters, brought together over 100 business owners, manufacturing experts, engineers and training professionals from around the UAE. Entitled: "Manufacturing; looking beyond 2020", it provided SMEs with networking opportunities and information that is relevant to their business.

The event included speakers from ADIB, Zawya Thomson Reuters, Trofina Food, the Department of Economic Development and ActionCOACH. In their discussion points, speakers highlighted future challenges that are facing the manufacturing sector and ways to address them.

The seminar was chaired by Mohammad Mahmoud, Head of SMEs at Zawya Thomson Reuters who emphasized on how important these platforms are for SMEs as it help them share knowledge and best practices, and to develop understanding about how to maximize their business potential.

Mahdi Kilani, Head of ADIB Business, commented: "This event provides businesses with a great opportunity to find out more about the support that's available in the UAE to help their business grow, and most importantly, get them to connect with people they can learn from or share their experiences with."

He added: "At ADIB we are enabling business owners to reach their full potential, not just by providing capital, but also by forming networks, and exchanging information and advice."

One of the SME participants said, "Not only did I thoroughly enjoy the event, but I found it incredibly useful. I made some excellent contacts and I'm positive that we can forge further beneficial relationships."

ADIB and Zawya, a Thomson Reuters company, launched BusinessPulse to providing advice and support to small and medium-sized businesses in the UAE. The portal offers business owners and entrepreneurs access to information related to their day-to-day business as well as guidance and support for their long term growth and expansion strategies. Apart from offering funding advice through ongoing interactions with ADIB's Business banking team, visitors can simply apply for a financing facility of up to AED 2 million through the portal. ADIB Business gives business owners access to a team of expert business banking professionals, providing 24-hour support using innovative solutions.

About ADIB:

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) was established on 20th May 1997 as a Public Joint Stock Company following the Emiri Decree No. 9 of 1997. The Bank commenced commercial operations on 11th November 1998, and was formally inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan on 18th April 1999. ADIB's vision is to be a top-tier, global Islamic financial services group and its mission is to provide Islamic financial solutions to the global community. The Bank carries out all contracts, operations and transactions in accordance with Islamic Sharia principles. ADIB's core values, reflected in all its activities are: Simple and Sensible; Transparent; Mutual Benefit; Hospitality and Tolerance; and Sharia inspired. It brings to its customers banking as it should be.

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