Economic Impact

How does a single clinic grow into a healthcare network serving millions? In Episode 5 of the Economic Impact Podcast, Alicia Moopin, Managing Director & Group CEO of Aster Healthcare, shares the story behind one of the region’s fastest-growing healthcare groups. In conversation with Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, CEO of Emirates Development Bank, Alicia reflects on leadership, growth, and the future of healthcare innovation in the region. From family legacy to scaling a global healthcare brand, this episode explores what it takes to build institutions that impact millions of lives. Emirates Development Bank

Emirates Development Bank

Emirates Development Bank

Emirates Development Bank

Emirates Development Bank

Emirates Development Bank

Emirates Development Bank

Emirates Development Bank

Emirates Development Bank

Emirates Development Bank

Emirates Development Bank

Emirates Development Bank

Emirates Development Bank

Season 3, Episode 4 of Economic Impact: Conversations from Emirates Development Bank, filmed live at Make it in the Emirates 2025. Special guest: Ali Alshimmari, Board Member of Emerge — providing innovative solar solutions for commercial and industrial sites and powering the UAE’s renewable energy future. Emirates Development Bank

Season 3, Episode 3 of Economic Impact: Conversations from Emirates Development Bank, filmed live at Make it in the Emirates 2025. Special guest: Her Excellency Najla Al Midfa, Managing Director of the Emirates Growth Fund — bridging the equity gap for growth-stage SMEs and fueling innovation across technology, healthcare, food security, and manufacturing in the UAE. Emirates Development Bank

Season 3, Episode 2 of Economic Impact: Conversations from Emirates Development Bank, filmed live at Make it in the Emirates 2025. Special guest: Abdallah Massaad, Group CEO of RAK Ceramics — the world’s largest ceramics brand and a global example of “Made in the UAE” success. Emirates Development Bank

Season 3, Episode 1 of Economic Impact: Conversations from Emirates Development Bank, filmed live at Make it in the Emirates 2025. Special guest: H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Minister of Youth and the first Arab to perform a spacewalk. Emirates Development Bank

Join H.E. Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, CEO of Emirates Development Bank, as he sits down with Jimmy Grewal, Managing Director of Elcome International, to discuss the company’s 55-year journey from a Dubai-based service provider to a global leader in maritime technology. The conversation covers:Elcome’s Global Expansion: From local beginnings in Dubai to a worldwide presence, serving sectors like defense, energy, and luxury yachts. Innovative Solutions: Delivering cutting-edge maritime systems, including navigation, communication, automation, and high-speed connectivity through Starlink. Industry Adaptation: Overcoming maritime industry cycles with AI, real-time analytics, and enhanced operational strategies. Ambitious Future: Launching community Wi-Fi initiatives in underserved regions and advancing as a global ISP to connect millions globally. Emirates Development Bank

What We Covered:Acme Intralog's Evolution: From its founding in 1975 as a traditional engineering firm to becoming a leader in robotics and automation.Impact of COVID-19 on Automation: How the pandemic accelerated demand for warehouse automation and supply chain resilience.Global Reach and Key Projects: Exporting 60-65% of its solutions to markets like the GCC, India, and Europe, including unique applications like vertical farming.Future Vision and Industry 4.0: Embracing AI-driven technologies, supporting the UAE's industrial growth, and scaling innovative solutions for local and global markets.Listen to the full episode to learn how Acme Intralog is shaping the future of automation in the UAE and beyond. Subscribe to Economic Impact for more insights into transformative technologies and industry trends! Emirates Development Bank

In this episode of Economic Impact: Conversations from Emirates Development Bank, H.E. Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, CEO of Emirates Development Bank, is joined by Nick Cochrane-Dyet MBE, Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce in Abu Dhabi. The discussion explores the UAE-UK strategic economic ties, energy transition, education, and innovation opportunities. Nick underscores the role of collaboration and forward-thinking strategies in advancing national development goals. Key Highlights: - Nick's early life in the UAE and witnessing its transformative growth. - The evolving UK-UAE partnership and economic opportunities. - Key sectors for collaboration: energy, AI, education, and industrialization. - The role of SMEs and innovation in fostering economic development. - Visionary insights into AI, emerging industries, and future technologies. Tune in to learn how the UK and UAE are driving growth and innovation in key sectors. Emirates Development Bank

In this episode of Economic Impact: Conversations from Emirates Development Bank, H.E. Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, CEO of Emirates Development Bank, sits down with Omar Al Shamsi, Founder and CEO of Watermelon Ecosystem. Omar Al Shamsi shares his remarkable journey from a distinguished career in banking and investments to leading Watermelon Ecosystem, an innovative platform revolutionizing the food and beverage sector. By addressing critical supply chain inefficiencies, Watermelon has quickly emerged as a transformative solution since its inception in 2022. Discover how the platform is enhancing food security in the UAE through a seamless, end-to-end ecosystem that connects suppliers, buyers, and enablers while optimizing logistics and cash flow management. This episode explores: - Al Shamsi's entrepreneurial leap from banking to technology. - Tackling inefficiencies in the food and beverage sector. - The role of logistics and technology in strengthening food security. - Collaborations with partners to empower farmers and businesses. Watermelon Ecosystem’s mission is simple yet transformative: to create a platform so efficient that it becomes the go-to solution for the food and beverage industry. Emirates Development Bank

In this episode of Economic Impact: Conversations from Emirates Development Bank, His Excellency Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, CEO of Emirates Development Bank sits down with Hassan Halawy, General Manager of Elite Agro Projects, to explore the intersection of innovation and agriculture. Hassan shares insights into Elite Agro’s groundbreaking initiatives, including cultivating Arabica coffee in Dubai's desert, restoring indigenous wheat varieties, and implementing advanced technology for sustainable farming. Discover how the UAE is leveraging local resources, advanced engineering, and visionary leadership to tackle global food security challenges and foster green growth. Emirates Development Bank

In this episode of "Economic Impact: Conversations from Emirates Development Bank", His Excellency Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, CEO of Emirates Development Bank, engages in an insightful dialogue with Her Excellency Dr. Alanoud Alhaj, Assistant Undersecretary for the Green Development and Climate Change Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. Dr. Alhaj shares her journey to becoming a leading expert in sustainable development, the UAE's pioneering climate initiatives, and insights into carbon credits, decarbonization, and the nation's roadmap to achieving climate ambitions. Join us to explore how the UAE is setting new global standards in addressing climate change and advancing green economic growth. Emirates Development Bank

Mustafa’s early career journey and lessons learnedAjman Bank’s transformation storyThe importance of SMEs in shaping the UAE economyHow collaboration and innovation drive organizational success Emirates Development Bank

In this episode of Economic Impact Conversations, we sit down with Liz Beneski, the CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Abu Dhabi (AmCham - Abu Dhabi). With 25 years of experience in the UAE, Liz offers a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges for American businesses looking to expand into Abu Dhabi and the UAE. We discuss AmCham's role in supporting US companies, the key industries attracting investment, and how the UAE government is actively encouraging partnerships. Liz also shares her personal journey and the valuable lessons she's learned while navigating the business landscape in the UAE. Tune in to gain valuable insights into the dynamic world of UAE-US business relations and discover how your company can leverage the immense potential of this growing market. Emirates Development Bank

Welcome to episode eight in season two of Economic Impact: Conversations from EDB’.This time we welcome Jeremy Crane, Group CEO of Yellow Door Energy, a UAE-based company offering sustainable energy solutions for businesses in the Middle East and Africa.He talks us through how he's trying to help businesses reach Net Zero targets and accelerate the Just Energy Transition.You can listen to 'Economic Impact' wherever you get your podcasts. Plus, you can watch ‘Economic Impact’ on the EDB website, edb.gov.ae, and on Youtube. Subscribe and like us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn - and let us know what you think…To find out more, just look for ‘Economic Impact, Conversations from Emirates Development Bank'. Emirates Development Bank

Welcome to episode seven in season two of Economic Impact: Conversations from EDB’.This time we welcome H.E. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO of EMSTEEL, Abu Dhabi's global leader in sustainable steel and building materials production.He talks us through pioneering the production of green steel - with 45% less emissions than competitors - and introducing AI and digitization to enhance efficiency.You can listen to 'Economic Impact' wherever you get your podcasts. Plus, you can watch ‘Economic Impact’ on the EDB website, edb.gov.ae, and on Youtube. Subscribe and like us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn - and let us know what you think…To find out more, just look for ‘Economic Impact, Conversations from Emirates Development Bank'. Emirates Development Bank

Welcome to episode six in season two of Economic Impact: Conversations from EDB’.This time we hear from the CEO of TA'ZIZ, Mr. Mishal Al Kindi.TA’ZIZ is the world scale chemicals and transition fuels hub taking shape in Al Ruwais Industrial City in Abu Dhabi.You can listen to 'Economic Impact' wherever you get your podcasts and you can watch ‘Economic Impact’ on the EDB website, edb.gov.ae, and on Youtube. Subscribe and like us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn - and let us know what you think…To find out more, just look for ‘Economic Impact, Conversations from Emirates Development Bank'. Emirates Development Bank

Welcome back to season two of Economic Impact: Conversations from EDB’.This time, in episode five, we’re joined by a person who “strongly believes that knowledge (and the knowledge economy) is a prerequisite for growth, and it is something that we should all undoubtedly invest in”.His Excellency, Hussain Al Mahmoudi is the chief executive officer of ‘SRTIP’, Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park.You can listen to 'Economic Impact' wherever you get your podcasts. Plus, you can watch ‘Economic Impact’ on the EDB website, edb.gov.ae, and on Youtube. Subscribe and like us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn - and let us know what you think…To find out more, just look for ‘Economic Impact, Conversations from Emirates Development Bank'. Emirates Development Bank

This time we’re joined by the chief executive officer of ‘Invest in Sharjah’, the emirate’s investment promotion agency and a strategic partner for global investors looking to grow their business in the emirate.Mr Mohamed Al Musharakh is a man with a mission to promote doing business in Sharjah internationally and helping foreign investors to set up in Sharjah.You can listen to 'Economic Impact' wherever you get your podcasts. Plus, you can watch ‘Economic Impact’ on the EDB website, edb.gov.ae, and on Youtube. Subscribe and like us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn - and let us know what you think…To find out more, just look for ‘Economic Impact, Conversations from Emirates Development Bank'. Emirates Development Bank

This is episode three in our second season and this time we’re joined by the chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, Hub71.Ahmad Ali Alwan was a founding member from its inception in 2019 and he now leads the development and implementation of Hub71’s technology strategy and long-term vision to elevate Abu Dhabi as a leading technology ecosystem globally.You can listen to 'Economic Impact' wherever you get your podcasts. Plus, you can watch ‘Economic Impact’ on the EDB website, edb.gov.ae, and on Youtube. Subscribe and like us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn - and let us know what you think…To find out more, just look for ‘Economic Impact, Conversations from Emirates Development Bank'. Emirates Development Bank

It's time for the second episode in season two of Economic Impact......and we're pleased to welcome Ravi Hinduja, Founder and CEO of Aquaflex Holding Ltd. and Vivasvaan Industrial, to discuss academic motivation, the lessons he learnt from his first business venture, improving our community’s quality of life and more. You can listen to 'Economic Impact' wherever you get your podcasts. Plus, you can watch ‘Economic Impact’ on the EDB website, edb.gov.ae, and on Youtube. Subscribe and like us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn - and let us know what you think… To find out more, just look for ‘Economic Impact, Conversations from Emirates Development Bank'. Emirates Development Bank

In this first episode of this new season we're joined by the CEO of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center SHERAA, Ms. Najla Al Midfa who joined Ahmed to discuss her career and to examine her passion for entrepreneurship...  You can listen to 'Economic Impact' wherever you get your podcasts. Plus, you can watch ‘Economic Impact’ on the EDB website, edb.gov.ae, and on Youtube. Subscribe and like us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn - and let us know what you think…To find out more, just look for ‘Economic Impact, Conversations from Emirates Development Bank'. Emirates Development Bank

In this final episode in season one we're joined by Mr. KM Noordeen, the chairman and founder of Ocean Rubber Factory, to talk about his journey to success...A leading supplier of technical rubber products in the Middle East, Ocean Rubber Factory is now acknowledged to be the biggest technical products manufacturing units in the Middle East. You can listen to 'Economic Impact' wherever you get your podcasts. Plus, you can watch ‘Economic Impact’ on the EDB website, edb.gov.ae, and on Youtube. Subscribe and like us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn - and let us know what you think… To find out more, just look for ‘Economic Impact, Conversations from Emirates Development Bank'. Emirates Development Bank

 For this episode Her Excellency Raja Al Mazrouei, CEO of Etihad Credit Insurance  joins us to talk fintech in the Gulf region, as well as to tell us about her career journey to Etihad Credit Insurance. Listen to 'Economic Impact' wherever you get your podcasts. Plus, you can watch ‘Economic Impact’ on the EDB website, edb.gov.ae, and on Youtube. Subscribe and like us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn - and let us know what you think… To find out more, just look for ‘Economic Impact, Conversations from Emirates Development Bank'. Emirates Development Bank

This time we're joined by Mr. Ramy Jallad, Group Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone, also known as RAKEZ.Ramy has a wealth of  free zone experience  and now develops and drives the strategic growth of RAKEZ to create a thriving commercial and industrial business hub that attracts and welcomes investors from all around the world. Listen to 'Economic Impact' wherever you get your podcasts. Plus, you can watch ‘Economic Impact’ on the EDB website, edb.gov.ae, and on Youtube.Subscribe and like us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn - and let us know what you think…To find out more, just look for ‘Economic Impact, Conversations from Emirates Development Bank'. Emirates Development Bank

Ahmed Badr is the Director of the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) Project Facilitation and Support division (PFS) - the division which offers member countries dedicated project implementation support. Here he talks to Ahmed Al Naqbi about ways to ensure that clean energy happens the right way.Listen to 'Economic Impact' wherever you get your podcasts. Plus, you can watch ‘Economic Impact’ on the EDB website, edb.gov.ae, and on Youtube.Subscribe and like us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn - and let us know what you think…To find out more, just look for ‘Economic Impact, Conversations from Emirates Development Bank'. Emirates Development Bank

This time, CEO and co-founder of House of Pops, Mr. Mazen Kanaan (@mazenkn) joins Ahmed Al Naqbi to discuss his experience launching a health popsicle brand in the UAE.Listen to 'Economic Impact' wherever you get your podcasts. Plus, you can watch ‘Economic Impact’ on the EDB website, edb.gov.ae, and on Youtube. Subscribe and like us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn - and let us know what you think...To find out more, just look for ‘Economic Impact, Conversations from Emirates Development Bank'.  Emirates Development Bank

In this episode we welcome Mr. Saleh Lootah, the chairman of the Food & Beverage Manufacturing Business Group as well as the Managing Director of Al Islami Foods and the President of the Harvard Business School Club in the GCC. Listen to 'Economic Impact' wherever you get your podcasts. Plus, you can watch ‘Economic Impact’ on the EDB website, edb.gov.ae, and on Youtube.Subscribe and like us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn - and let us know what you think…To find out more, just look for ‘Economic Impact, Conversations from Emirates Development Bank'.  Emirates Development Bank

For episode two we're very pleased to welcome Mr. Saud Abu Alshawareb, Executive Vice President – Industrial Leasing, TECOM Group. Saud joins us to talk about what’s happening at one of the region’s largest industrial manufacturing and logistics hubs – Dubai Industrial City.  Listen to 'Economic Impact' wherever you get your podcasts. Plus, you can watch ‘Economic Impact’ on the EDB website, edb.gov.ae, and on Youtube. Subscribe and like us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn - and let us know what you think… To find out more, just look for ‘Economic Impact’, Conversations from Emirates Development Bank. Emirates Development Bank

In episode one we're honoured to speak with His Excellency Omar Ahmed Suwaina Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, to discuss the latest trends, changes and opportunities  for the manufacturing sector in the UAE - as well as to highlight the role MOIAT plays in supporting the advancement of the sector.Listen to 'Economic Impact' wherever you get your podcasts. Plus, you can watch ‘Economic Impact’ on the EDB website, edb.gov.ae, and on Youtube. Subscribe and like us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn - and let us know what you think… To find out more, just look for ‘Economic Impact’, Conversations from Emirates Development Bank. Emirates Development Bank

Welcome to Economic Impact: Conversations from Emirates Development Bank. In each episode join EDB's CEO Ahmed Al Naqbi as he speaks to a host of change-makers and thought-leaders in the UAE to learn how they’re supporting the private sector, contributing to the economy and realising the UAE’s economic ambitions.You can watch ‘Economic Impact’ on the EDB website, edb.gov.ae, and on Youtube and, of course, you can listen to 'Economic Impact' wherever you get your podcasts.Subscribe and like us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn - and let us know what you think…To find out more, just look for ‘Economic Impact’, Conversations from Emirates Development Bank. Emirates Development Bank