Khalil Al Mansouri, executive director of the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), explains how the organisation is accelerating the global expansion of UAE exports through strategic financing solutions, risk mitigation tools, and a strong focus on sustainable, innovation-led trade.
As the global market continues to evolve, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is positioning itself as a leading force in innovation-driven exports.
Integral to this momentum is the Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX), the export financing arm of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), which plays a vital role in supporting UAE enterprises as they expand internationally and strengthen their presence across global markets.
Founded in 2019, ADEX aligns with the nation’s broader economic goals in facilitating the shift towards a diversified, knowledge-based economy and enhancing the global competitiveness of national exports. It is uniquely positioned to strengthen national exports, empower local businesses and expand the global footprint of UAE-made goods and services.
Flexible financing for global accessibility
To ensure financial inclusivity and global accessibility, ADEX offers a suite of flexible financing tools designed to meet the varied needs of international buyers and local exporters alike. These include direct buyer credits for governments and private sector entities, supplier credit guarantees and revolving credit facilities. The flexibility of these financial tools allows ADEX to tailor funding mechanisms based on market maturity, project complexity and transaction size, providing seamless pathways for UAE exporters to engage in long-term contracts and recurring transactions.
Furthermore, ADEX employs robust risk mitigation instruments, such as export credit insurance and guarantee mechanisms, which protect both UAE exporters and foreign buyers against commercial and political uncertainties. These safeguards are essential to increasing confidence in cross-border exchanges and promoting deeper engagement with emerging markets.
Our mandate is to connect UAE exporters with global opportunities through finance. We aim to also expand UAE goods and services beyond borders, while supporting developing markets to access competitive high-quality solutions from the UAE.
In 2024, ADEX delivered on this strategic vision by extending over AED4bn in export financing, allowing for the expansion of UAE enterprises into more than 40 international markets. These solutions equip national companies with the financial stability, operational flexibility and strategic support required to scale effectively and respond to the evolving dynamics of global markets.
Championing ‘Operation 300bn’ and national growth
As a key facilitator of the UAE’s industrial strategy, ‘Operation 300bn’, ADEX plays a key role in placing exports at the centre of the nation’s economic transformation. By supporting sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, healthcare and manufacturing, ADEX-backed deals are driving measurable global impact.
Recent examples include the financing of UAE-based exports such as firefighting vehicles and equipment to Tanzania, power infrastructure to Angola and renewable energy systems to island nations.
Through strategic partnerships with banks, financial institutions, and government agencies worldwide, ADEX ensures its financing aligns with international development priorities while promoting ‘Made in the UAE’ excellence.
ADEX also provides access to advanced industrial technologies, enhances production capacity and supports compliance with global standards, empowering UAE businesses during their export journey. It reinforces the international competitiveness of UAE industries in alignment with the national agenda, prioritising innovation, self-sufficiency and sustainable global growth.
To further elevate impact, ADEX regularly hosts commerce finance workshops and exporter engagement forums, offering training and consultation to equip businesses with the knowledge required to navigate global procurement systems and optimise their participation in government-led development initiatives worldwide.
With sustainability becoming a global imperative, ADEX actively supports clean technology, climate-smart manufacturing and green infrastructure solutions. This approach contributes to the UAE’s ambition to lead in sustainable development while supporting local exporters in accessing markets where environmental performance is a key differentiator.
High-impact co-financing opportunities
ADEX also continues to strengthen partnerships with local manufacturers, global financiers and development institutions. These collaborations are key to enhancing exporting flows, fostering investment and building a more integrated global economy with the UAE at its centre.
Looking ahead, ADEX is exploring opportunities with multilateral financial institutions and sovereign wealth funds to co-finance large-scale infrastructure and development projects, enabling UAE exporters to tap into high-impact global opportunities. These partnerships also enhance the visibility of the UAE’s industrial capabilities on the world stage, reinforcing the nation’s position as a global hub for quality, innovation, and reliability.
ADEX’s extensive export scope aligns with the UAE’s efforts to strengthen its industrial base and enhance global economic integration. Through its export financing solutions, ADEX continues to support the international growth of national enterprises, contributing to the UAE’s long-term economic diversification objectives.
