Fujairah Municipality is changing how it supports local business. Starting now, Emirates Development Bank staff will be at the municipality headquarters every Tuesday. They will meet face-to-face with investors and entrepreneurs, offering direct advice and help. This is part of the Tamkeen initiative. The goal is to make it easier for people to get financial guidance and funding, whether they want to start a new project or grow an existing one in Fujairah. This step fits with the UAE's push for economic diversification, as set out in the UAE Vision 2031 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. Both plans focus on building up entrepreneurship and supporting small and medium businesses as key drivers of growth.
Mohammed Saif Al Afkham, Director General of Fujairah Municipality, announced the new service at the Tamkeen Business Forum. The event brought together government officials, investors, and business owners. It was more than just a launch. Attendees could speak openly about real challenges and get immediate feedback from both municipal and bank representatives. This open format shows the UAE's focus on public and private sector cooperation, a point often covered by Emirates News Agency (WAM) in its reports on national economic reforms.
The main aim is to make Fujairah a more appealing place for investment. By placing financial experts inside the municipality, Fujairah is closing the gap between government services and the funding programs run by Emirates Development Bank. Entrepreneurs will have a clearer route to the capital they need for projects in industry, technology, food security, healthcare, renewable energy, and advanced infrastructure. These areas match national priorities, as shown in recent Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) reports on targeted lending and sector growth.
Al Afkham called Tamkeen a key part of the municipality's economic plan. He pointed to ongoing work to build a flexible, business-friendly environment that meets the needs of both local and international investors. The municipality is also working to simplify procedures and improve service quality. This fits with the UAE's wider regulatory updates, including new digital systems at Dubai Municipality and the use of e-dirham payment methods for government services, as explained by the Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank.
At the forum, Emirates Development Bank shared details about its funding programs, focusing on sectors that match national economic goals. The bank's work goes beyond just lending money. It aims to help national companies and entrepreneurs grow and create jobs. This approach is similar to knowledge-sharing efforts in other emirates, like the recent partnership between Dubai Municipality and international partners to train local talent. The National has reported that these kinds of programs are becoming more common as emirates compete for foreign investment and try to build strong innovation hubs.
By combining government support with targeted financial help, Fujairah is making it clear that it wants to cut through red tape and create a place where business ideas can turn into real economic growth. The partnership with Emirates Development Bank is not just for show. It is a practical way to deliver on Tamkeen's promise. Other emirates may look to this model as they try to attract investment and new ideas. The real question is whether this hands-on approach will bring real results for Fujairah's business community. But the move to offer direct, on-the-ground support marks a clear break from the old, scattered advisory system.
