Abu Dhabi’s young Emirati entrepreneurs can now access an online treasure trove of information on business management, access to finance and exploring new markets.

In order to realise it, Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development has signed an agreement with the International Finance Corporation to develop the SME Toolkit web platform for the UAE. The toolkit, an innovation of the IFC, offers entrepreneurs free, online and around-the-clock access to expert information, interactive tools and educational resources in order to help them implement sound business management practices, access finance, and enter new markets.IFC’s SME Toolkit was launched in 2002 and is available in 32 countries and 18 languages. Its various websites worldwide receive a combined five million unique visitors annually.

In many places it is the largest online business support resource in the local language. Khalifa Fund believes the local content to be developed for the UAE toolkit in addition to the global content will improve the management skills of entrepreneurs, and expand the learning opportunities for the Fund’s members.

The agreement was signed by Abdullah Saeed Al Darmaki, chief executive officer of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, and Luke Haggarty the Head of Mena Advisory Services in the International Finance Corporation.

“This MoU reflects dedication of Khalifa Fund to provide the appropriate environment for the sustainable and success of SME within UAE as well as the enterprises funded by Khalifa Fund in accordance to Abu Dhabi Vision 2030.This SME Toolkit will give the chance for Khalifa Fund’s members to develop their skills and their marketing and managerial talents and others tools in order to develop their Entrepreneurship abilities,” said Al Darmaki.

“It will include international experiences in SME which will enable Khalifa Fund’s members to publish their success stories and to communicate with their peers in other countries worldwide,” said Al Darmaki.

Mouayed Makhouf, IFC director Mena, said: “Smaller companies often don’t have access to the information and training resources they need to expand. The SME toolkit will provide them with those resources.”