The UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC), in collaboration with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in India, launched the UAE-India CEPA Start-up Series during a high-profile event in New Delhi. This initiative aims to enhance innovation and support the international growth of Indian start-ups as part of the commitments outlined in the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

UAE Ambassador to India Abdulnasser Alshaali highlighted the UAE’s dedication to entrepreneurship and cross-border innovation. He emphasized that start-ups are vital to the UAE-India economic corridor, stating, “Through this Series, the UAE-India CEPA Council seeks to connect India’s brightest entrepreneurial minds with the UAE’s world-class ecosystem, supporting their scale-up journeys while enriching our bilateral innovation landscape.”

The launch occurs during a period of robust economic activity between the UAE and India. In the fiscal year 2023-24, bilateral trade reached USD 83.64 billion, reflecting a nearly 15 percent increase compared to the previous year since the CEPA was implemented. Notably, India’s non-oil exports to the UAE grew by over 20 percent, and UAE foreign direct investment (FDI) in India surged from USD 1.03 billion in FY 2021-22 to USD 3.35 billion in FY 2022-23, positioning the UAE as India’s fourth-largest investor.

Since the year 2000, investors from the UAE have contributed approximately USD 20 billion to the Indian economy, driving innovation and growth while solidifying the UAE’s role as a strategic partner.

To further strengthen ties with India’s innovation sector, the launch event included the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the UICC and notable academic and entrepreneurial institutions, such as PRIME Meghalaya, IDEATE Lab at O.P. Jindal Global University, and Jamia Hamdard.

The event concluded with a presentation by Ahmed Aljneibi, Director of the UICC, who shared the strategic framework for the Start-up Series. He indicated that the initiative would culminate in a prominent pitch event in New Delhi, where five outstanding start-ups will be selected to receive a specialized UAE soft-landing package. This package includes incubation support, business licensing, tailored mentorship, and direct access to leading investors and innovation hubs across the Emirates.

More than 100 participants from the start-up, investment, policy, and media sectors attended the event, which also featured the launch of the official Start-up Series microsite and a promotional trailer inviting applications from high-potential Indian ventures.