ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award (SKEA) Office, an affiliate of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has announced that registration for the 23rd cycle of the award will open on November 11, 2026.
The office is inviting companies and institutions to showcase their achievements and business impact, as well as the added value they create within the private sector and their contribution to the development of Abu Dhabi’s economy.
Building on the results achieved during the 22nd cycle, which attracted more than 230 applications, SMEs and start-ups accounted for approximately 60% of total applications.
These figures reflect the broad participation of different segments of the business community and the growing interest among companies in showcasing their achievements and documenting their contributions, regardless of their size or sector.
The previous cycle highlighted impacts across a diverse range of sectors, including advanced technology, healthcare, industry, and innovation, reflecting the breadth of development across Abu Dhabi’s business community.
These examples demonstrate how specialised expertise, technological solutions and development initiatives can translate into tangible outcomes, enhancing the quality of products and services, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening businesses’ ability to respond to market needs.
Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, said, “At Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we believe that a thriving economy is built on businesses’ ability to evolve, seize emerging opportunities, and turn innovative ideas into lasting economic value and sustainable impact. In this context, the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award provides companies with an opportunity to assess their performance, identify areas for improvement, and strengthen their competitiveness against clear criteria that keep pace with economic shifts.
"Through the Award, we seek to foster a business environment that encourages innovation and productivity, supports the growth of companies of all sizes, and highlights their contribution to creating a positive impact on the economy and society, further strengthening the role of the private sector in Abu Dhabi’s economic development.”
Since its launch in 1999, the award has continued to recognise companies that deliver tangible results in their respective fields, with a focus on the economic and social value generated through their activities.
The award is built on a vision that views tangible achievements as a key measure of companies’ contributions to advancing their sectors, including progress in productivity, capability development, technology adoption, innovation, and opportunity creation.
Participation in the 23rd cycle gives companies the opportunity to document their results and identify areas in which they can improve to deliver greater value.
Winners and finalists will also have opportunities to share their experiences with the wider business community, strengthen connections with clients, investors, and potential partners, and leverage the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s network and initiatives that support business growth and development in local and global markets.
The Award follows an evidence-based evaluation methodology focused on measurable outcomes across multiple areas of impact, including talent development, technology adoption, SME support, export growth, supply chain localisation, entrepreneurship enablement, and social responsibility.
Contributions are evaluated against the approved criteria, with the quantitative assessment representing 80 percent of the overall evaluation.
Qualified organisations undergo an Impact Interview for the remaining 20 per cent, to verify the results submitted and assess the impact generated through their operations, activities, and initiatives.
The award targets large and family businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), start-ups, and scale-ups, enabling organisations of different sizes and business models to showcase relevant achievements and highlight their impacts and contributions to product and service development and improved business practices.
The Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award invites eligible companies and organisations to register for the 23rd cycle and learn more about the participation criteria and application requirements through SKEA.ae and the award’s social media channels.
With the launch of the new cycle, the Award seeks to highlight more experiences that provide tangible examples of achievement and document results that demonstrate companies’ ability to translate their potential into added value, supporting the advancement of the business community and strengthening its contribution to Abu Dhabi’s economic and social development.