EDB, Zelo Launch AED 350 Million Programme to Boost SME Liquidity

Emirates Development Bank (EDB), in partnership with Zelo, has launched a AED 350 million financing programme aimed at strengthening liquidity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and supporting national industrial supply chains.

The initiative, announced during Make it in the Emirates 2026, is designed to accelerate payments on approved government and government-related entity invoices, enabling SMEs to maintain steady cash flow and expand their role in key sectors.

Under the programme, SMEs can access up to 95% of their approved invoice value within 24 hours, helping to address working capital challenges often linked to government contracts. The service is delivered through EDB 360, the bank’s digital platform, providing fast and streamlined access to financing in collaboration with Zelo.

H.E. Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, CEO of Emirates Development Bank, said the initiative is a practical step toward strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of the UAE’s industrial ecosystem by empowering SMEs to take on larger projects and integrate more effectively into national supply chains.

Dhanush Arjun, CEO of Zelo, noted that the partnership aims to simplify and accelerate access to working capital, providing suppliers to government entities with greater financial certainty and enabling them to scale alongside the UAE’s industrial ambitions.

The programme embeds financing directly into procurement cycles, reducing payment delays and ensuring consistent liquidity for SME suppliers. This approach is expected to enhance project efficiency, improve delivery timelines, and increase SME participation in strategic developments.

The initiative also aligns with Operation 300bn, which seeks to expand the industrial sector’s contribution to the UAE’s GDP to AED 300 billion by 2031, reinforcing the country’s focus on economic diversification, innovation, and sustainable growth.