Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
With the support of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED), seven Emirati ventures are given the opportunity to showcase their offerings at the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show (ADIBS) as the event opened its largest edition to date.
Organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, ADIBS 2025 runs from November 20 to 23 at Marina Hall in the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
The fund's presence at the event reflects its commitment to empowering Emirati entrepreneurs, supporting the growth of startups and SMEs, and enhancing their presence at prominent local and international events.
Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, CEO of KFED, said: "Our participation in Abu Dhabi International Boat Show 2025 reflects our pivotal role in supporting Emirati enterprises and empowering entrepreneurs to achieve sustainable and robust growth. The event, attracting numerous visitors from across the UAE and abroad, provides an ideal platform for Emirati companies to showcase their innovations and products to a wide audience.”
“Through this participation, we aim to open new opportunities for startups and SMEs, enabling them to build strategic partnerships and expand their operations into new markets. Moreover, the diversity of the sectors we support further strengthens the UAE's entrepreneurial ecosystem and enhances the capabilities and competitiveness of Emirati enterprises, contributing to Abu Dhabi's economic growth and diversification priorities,” Al Nasri added.
Among the Khalifa Fund-supported ventures at the eveny are Beljwar Company Commercial Brokers, the first-of-its-kind integrated digital platform for yacht bookings and marine events, founded by three female Emirati engineers; Started Sport Clothes, a company that designs and sells high-quality women's sportswear combining comfort, performance and style; and "Time Trading Agencies" which supplies formal uniforms, including military apparel and specialised garments for various professions such as medicine and aviation.
Other notable participants include "Blue Waves Café", which offers specialty coffee, fast food, as well as hot and cold beverages, alongside catering services for events, festivals, kiosks and food trucks; "HMR Designs Establishment", a company providing clothing and essentials for outdoor sports; "Break Waves Marina Equipment Co." which supplies marine equipment spare parts and accessories; and "Mangusta Yacht Rental", a renting company of yachts and boats.
Mohamed Alhameli of Break Waves Marina Equipment Co. said his company focuses on raising standards in marine leisure services.
“We enhance the UAE's marine leisure sector through specialised maintenance and repair services for Jet Skis, Jet Surfs, and marine motorbikes, ensuring safety and optimal performance for enthusiasts,” he told Aletihad.
For Break Waves, Khalifa Fund’s support has been instrumental in elevating service quality and establishing itself as a certified specialist, Alhameli said.
At this year’s show, the company is putting the spotlight on efficiency and performance. “We are showcasing our rapid-repair service protocol, and a new line of high-performance parts,” he added.
From the digital and tourism side, Fatima Alhammadi of Beljwar Company Commercial Brokers described how her venture is reshaping yacht chartering in the UAE.
“Beljwar contributes to the UAE’s marine ecosystem by providing the region’s first Emirati-founded digital platform that connects yacht owners with clients in a seamless, transparent, and technology-driven way,” she said.
The platform, she added, helps yacht operators “increase their bookings, utilise idle yacht hours, and improve revenue, while giving customers an easier and safer way to access marine leisure services”.
At ADIBS 2025, Beljwar is showcasing a new layer of its technology. “We are introducing Beljwar’s Provider ecosystem, a dedicated digital solution designed specifically for yacht owners to manage their schedules, packages, pricing, and availability in real time,” Alhammadi explained.
Khalifa Fund has helped turn this idea into a competitive reality, she said. “KFED’s support has been instrumental in accelerating our ability to enter and scale within the UAE’s marine sector,” enabling Beljwar to refine its business model.
