SALT Voices: Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi | Director General, Abu Dhabi Investment Officer (ADIO)

TL;DR

Dr. Thark Ben Hindi discusses the choice of Abu Dhabi as the host for the Salt conference, the vision of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, efforts to support SMEs, and the potential of the tech industry.

Transcript

this is Natasha de Sousa reporting for salt voices and I'm here at the inaugural salt abu-dhabi with dr. Thark Ben Hindi the newly appointed director general of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office thank you for speaking with us sorry thank you for having me good to have you here now here of course everybody's you know this is huge buzz about salt now b... Read More

Key Insights

• 👻 Abu Dhabi hosting the Salt conference helps showcase the city's advancements and development to a global audience.
• 👃 The Abu Dhabi Investment Office aims to support the private sector through funding, incentives, and addressing the financing needs of SMEs.
• 👻 Efforts are being made to attract and support tech companies by creating an ecosystem that allows for disruption, enhancement, and efficiency.
• 🧑‍💼 The office aims to make the private sector in Abu Dhabi resilient and competitive in the long term.
• 🤽 Both domestic and international companies are welcome, with a focus on leveling the playing field for all.
• 🧑‍💼 The office recognizes the need to incorporate disruptive technologies in the banking sector and encourages proactive adaptation by financial institutions.
• 🪚 The entry of FinTech companies into Abu Dhabi disrupts certain areas of the banking sector but also contributes to the growth and development of the ecosystem.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why was Abu Dhabi chosen as the host for the Salt conference?

Abu Dhabi was chosen because it is at the forefront of connecting the world and hosting Salt helps showcase the city's progress and growth to global audiences.

Q: What is the vision of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office?

The office aims to support the private sector by offering funding, rebates, and subsidies to companies looking to set up or expand in Abu Dhabi, thereby leveling the playing field and attracting both domestic and foreign investments.

Q: How does the Abu Dhabi Investment Office support SMEs?

The office has various programs in place to help SMEs, including bringing banks into conversations with SMEs, providing alternative financing options, investing in high-growth ventures, and assisting businesses in commercializing ideas and expanding.

Q: What is the focus of the office in the tech space?

The office is interested in investing in various technology sectors such as agritech and edtech. They also encourage feedback from the market to identify programs and initiatives that would be beneficial for tech companies and the overall ecosystem.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Abu Dhabi was chosen as the host for the Salt conference to showcase the city's growth and development to a global audience.

• The Abu Dhabi Investment Office aims to support the private sector by providing funding, incentives, and help in expanding and commercializing businesses.

• Efforts are being made to address the lack of conventional financing for SMEs in the UAE and create a favorable environment for their growth and resilience.