AGP Executive Report

UAE SME Finance: 7X has launched ADEED Finance to connect UAE small businesses’ supply chains with banks, aiming to ease access to funding. Saudi Startup Visas: Saudi Arabia has announced two categories of foreign nationals eligible for entrepreneur residency, a move that could help attract founders and investment. Oman’s Digital Push: The second phase of the country’s digital economy programme runs through 2030, with plans for RO300 million in digital investment and 3,000 annual jobs. Digital Payments: Mastercard Gateway is now live in Syria, enabling international digital payments and potentially widening options for local businesses. Saudi Fintech: Raya Financing has chosen Temenos to support its expansion in the kingdom.

SME Finance: UAE logistics group 7X launched ADEED Finance to connect small-business supply chains with banks, addressing a key funding gap for smaller suppliers. Founder Access: Saudi Arabia has announced two categories of foreign nationals eligible for entrepreneur residency, opening a new route for founders seeking to establish themselves in the Kingdom. Digital Growth: Oman’s second-phase digital economy programme runs through 2030, with targets of RO300 million in investment and 3,000 jobs a year. Egyptian Fintech: MNT-Halan was valued at $775 million on its stock-market debut, putting a prominent Egyptian fintech in the spotlight.

Morocco’s Business Climate: The African Development Bank approved $487 million to support economic reform, climate resilience and a stronger private-sector role as energy and transport costs rise. Founder Access: Saudi Arabia set out two entrepreneur residency routes: one requires at least SAR400,000 in approved investment, while the higher tier also ties eligibility to job creation. SME Finance: UAE-based 7X launched ADEED Finance to connect small-business supply chains with banks. Digital Commerce: Oman has started the second phase of its digital economy programme, running through 2030; in Syria, Mastercard Gateway has gone live to enable international digital payments. SME Backbone: Turkish small businesses account for two-thirds of employment and are building closer ties with multinationals.

SME Finance: UAE logistics group 7X has launched ADEED Finance, a digital referral platform connecting small businesses with five banks for working capital, trade, invoice and supply-chain finance. Entrepreneur Residency: Saudi Arabia has set two routes for foreign founders, including one requiring at least SAR 400,000 in investment; the higher tier also requires job creation within two years. Digital Growth: Oman’s 2026–30 digital economy plan aims to encourage SME technology adoption, while targeting $3.9 billion in GDP contribution and 3,000 jobs a year. Saudi Lending: Raya Financing is adopting new banking software as it expands, with SME finance among the products in its pipeline. Turkey’s SMEs: Small firms account for two-thirds of employment and are building links with multinationals, even as 93,095 small businesses closed in the first nine months of the year.

Oman’s Digital Economy: A new 2026–30 programme targets RO300 million in technology investment and 3,000 jobs a year, with digital commerce and business productivity in focus. UAE Payments: Etisalat Money and Visa are expanding cross-border transfers, including international payments for small businesses. Fintech Licensing: UAE startup Ziina secured central bank licences covering payments, stored value and exchange. Turkey’s SME Strain: Small firms drive two-thirds of employment, but 93,095 small businesses closed in the first nine months of the year. Pakistan’s Energy Costs: LPG prices in some markets have reached Rs500–600 a kilogram, far above the notified Rs279.34 rate, raising concerns for commercial users. SME Banking: Mashreq launched its NEO BIZ digital banking platform in Pakistan, designed to support small and medium-sized businesses.

Digital Payments: UAE fintech etisalat money and Visa are expanding cross-border transfers, including international payments for small businesses, through Visa Direct. Turkey’s SMEs: Small firms account for two-thirds of employment and are building ties with multinationals, but the sector also faces pressure: 93,095 small businesses closed in the first nine months of the year. Tourism Opportunities: A new direct Moscow–Aqaba route could bring more spending to Jordanian hotels, restaurants, transport firms and shops, though local businesses will need visitor offers that encourage longer stays. Business Succession: A new UAE report warns that companies too dependent on their owner can be harder to sell, underscoring the value of building operations that run independently. Women Entrepreneurs: Nearly 400 women in Herat obtained business licenses in the past year, a step toward expanding women’s formal business activity. Fintech Access: Egypt has approved six fintech firms as it seeks to widen access to financial services.

Legal Access: UAE lawyers say AI can cut routine work time by about 30%, creating room to offer more affordable legal help to the country’s growing SME sector. Digital Markets: A Tunisian family olive-oil producer is using Temu to reach European consumers directly, seeking better margins than its traditional wholesale business offered. Small-Business Support: Ghana’s Chamber of Commerce has launched Small Business Week with free workshops and an expo. SME Finance: UAE payment provider Network International and Commercial Bank of Dubai are expanding lending options for small firms, while Foodics is backing Funding Souq to grow financing for restaurant businesses. Regional Banking: The UAE’s shared financial technology platform now connects more than 50 banks, a move aimed at making services faster and more secure across the sector.

Saudi SME Finance: Embedded lending platforms could reshape how small firms access credit; SME financing reached SAR 489.2 billion in the first quarter of 2026. Gulf Market Access: Sri Lankan venture Lankan Cart has opened a Gulf route for small producers, taking their goods to Dubai customers. Turkey’s Small-Business Squeeze: The country recorded 93,095 small-business closures in nine months. UAE Lending: Network International and Commercial Bank of Dubai are expanding SME financing options. Restaurant Finance: Foodics has invested in Funding Souq to widen financing for restaurants. Dubai SME Support: Majid Al Futtaim launched a home-focused initiative with Dubai SME and the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment to support local businesses. Egypt Fintech: Six newly approved fintech firms are set to broaden access to financial services.

Gulf Market Access: Dubai-based Lankan Cart is relaunching as a platform to bring Sri Lankan farmers and small producers to UAE customers, with plans to reach wider Gulf markets. SME Support: Majid Al Futtaim has introduced Ma’an by MAF Home Edition with Dubai SME, aiming to support local businesses. Digital Banking: Qatar Development Bank won seven Global Finance awards, including recognition for its SME banking platform and digital services for businesses. Business Climate: Turkey recorded 93,095 small-business closures in nine months, pointing to mounting pressure on smaller firms. Fintech: Egypt’s MNT-Halan debuted on the Cairo exchange at a valuation of about $775 million after a heavily oversubscribed IPO.

Digital Finance: Qatar Development Bank won seven Global Finance honors, including Best SME Banking Platform, recognizing its digital services for businesses. In Saudi Arabia, Mastercard and Enjaz plan to expand card offerings for individual and business customers. Working Capital: Done has entered Türkiye with logistics, supply-chain and trade-payment services, targeting importers facing cash-flow pressure; its announcement says 41.8% of Turkish SMEs are partly or fully credit-constrained. Lending: Network International and Commercial Bank of Dubai are expanding merchant financing options for UAE businesses, while Foodics has invested in Funding Souq to grow financing for restaurants. Business Pressures: Türkiye recorded 93,095 small-business closures in nine months, highlighting the strain on local firms. Women Entrepreneurs: Nearly 400 women in Herat obtained business licenses in the past year, a step toward wider participation in the local economy.

Iraq SME Support: Banks are backing small firms through direct loans, entrepreneurship programmes and simpler procedures, says the Iraqi Private Banks League. A bank-supported revival of Baghdad’s old city has helped shops stay open later and created thousands of jobs. Turkey’s Business Strain: The country recorded 93,095 small-business closures in the first nine months of the year, highlighting mounting pressure on local firms. Women Entrepreneurs: In Herat, Maliha Yousufi built a pickle business from about $5, selling through local markets and wholesalers and creating jobs for six women. Separately, nearly 400 women in the city received business licences over the past year. Iran’s Cost Squeeze: Higher fuel charges are adding pressure on drivers and delivery workers, with costs likely to feed into fares and delivery prices. UAE SME Finance: Network International and Commercial Bank of Dubai are expanding merchant lending options, while Foodics has invested in Funding Souq to grow financing for restaurants. AI for Gulf SMEs: A new report says AI could offer Gulf small businesses opportunities, but adoption still hinges on practical readiness.

Turkey’s SME Squeeze: 93,095 small businesses closed in the first nine months of 2026, up 11.8% year on year. New registrations still outnumbered closures, but high inflation and borrowing costs are weighing on firms. Finance and Payments: UAE lenders are widening access to merchant and SME financing, while Emirates NBD has opened its SME programme to all business banking clients. In Egypt, Suez Canal Bank launched a business mobile app and six fintech firms won approval to expand financial services. Women Entrepreneurs: Nearly 400 women obtained business licenses in Herat over the past year, a boost to women’s economic participation in Afghanistan. Exports and Digital Security: Dubai’s DET and DHL held a workshop to help manufacturers prepare for exports; MTN Ghana and UAE startup Dynova also announced cyber support aimed at protecting smaller firms. AI Adoption: A new report examines how Gulf SMEs are approaching AI, as businesses weigh its potential against readiness and trust concerns.

Gulf SME Tech: UAE SMEs make up 94% of businesses, but AI adoption depends less on big strategies than on owners having the time and trust to use practical tools. Shipping Costs: Kerala footwear makers plan a 10% price rise from November as Middle East-related shipping disruptions push up materials costs, a warning of how regional instability can squeeze small manufacturers and jobs. Access to Finance: Morocco urged the World Bank to expand guarantees and ease financing for smaller firms, while Egypt approved six fintech providers, including two focused on SME lending. Oman’s Women Entrepreneurs: Omantel and Sohar International brought businesswomen together to share advice and build networks for women-led firms. UAE Lending: Network International and Commercial Bank of Dubai expanded options for SME financing.

Egyptian Fintech: The regulator approved six firms to offer digital financial services, including two focused on SME financing, widening options for smaller businesses. Oman’s Women Entrepreneurs: Omantel and Sohar International brought business leaders together for Aamali Talks, focused on mentorship, networks and growth for women-led firms. UAE SME Finance: Network International and Commercial Bank of Dubai are expanding lending options for small businesses. Restaurant Funding: Foodics is investing in Funding Souq to grow financing for restaurants. Digital Banking: Suez Canal Bank launched an app to help businesses manage transactions, loans and accounts. Egypt’s Craft Businesses: More than 1,000 exhibitors, including artisans and small traders, are showcasing products at Cairo’s Turathna handicrafts exhibition.

Pakistan Financing: At the IMF–World Bank meetings in Bangkok, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb called for more cash-flow-based lending, digital finance and loan guarantees for small businesses and farmers. Sabah Tourism: The state’s chief minister urged districts to develop distinctive visitor experiences ahead of Visit Sabah Year 2027, with benefits reaching homestays, food operators, traders and craftspeople. Egyptian Entrepreneurs: Cairo’s Turathna handicrafts exhibition opened with more than 1,000 exhibitors, giving artisans and small businesses a platform to reach customers. Business Banking: Suez Canal Bank launched a mobile app for business accounts and transactions, while Network International and Commercial Bank of Dubai expanded SME lending options in the UAE. Foodics also invested in Funding Souq to grow financing for restaurants. Startup Support: UAE-based Dynova launched a cyber-support programme for startups and SMEs. Women’s Enterprise: Egypt and South Korea wrapped up a three-year programme to strengthen policy and institutional support for women’s employment and SME entrepreneurship.

Egyptian Artisans: Turathna opened with more than 1,000 exhibitors, giving small businesses and craftspeople from Egypt and other Arab countries a platform to reach customers. Digital Banking: Suez Canal Bank launched its SCB Business app, letting companies manage accounts, transactions, deposits and loans from their phones. SME Security: UAE cybersecurity firm Dynova is offering startups and small businesses free baseline security checks, with an incident-response service planned for 2027. Finance and Inclusion: AGFUND won an award for inclusive banking and social impact, recognizing its work helping underserved communities build livelihoods. In the UAE, Network International and CBD are expanding merchant lending, while Emirates NBD has opened its VIP SME programme to all business banking clients. Restaurant Funding: Foodics invested in Funding Souq to expand financing for restaurants in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.