AI remains the biggest opportunity
Virtuzone Group CEO George Hojeige said AI offers one of the biggest opportunities for entrepreneurs. “I think AI is a huge opportunity right now,” he said, adding that companies across industries are currently considering how they can integrate artificial intelligence into their operations.
He said there is growing interest in areas such as data centres, e-commerce and AI-driven businesses, while many entrepreneurs are founding companies to solve challenges exposed by recent global supply chain disruptions.
Hojeige also cited manufacturing, transportation, logistics, oil and gas services, and food security as sectors where demand is increasing.
“We’re seeing a lot of demand for food security, manufacturing, supply chain, transportation and logistics,” he said.
Food security offers untapped potential
Zubair-ul-Islam, Sales Director of Ajman Free Zone Authority, said agriculture and food production remain untapped areas with great growth potential. “I’m a little biased against farming,” he said. “It’s an underserved area of this country.”
He pointed to increased investment in indoor farming and locally produced produce, and said food security remains a key priority for the UAE.
“If I had 10 million dirhams to spend right now, I would focus everyone on AI and food security.”
Islam also highlighted manufacturing as an area where the UAE can continue to attract international investment, particularly from India and China.
He said that instead of focusing only on India’s largest city, there is great potential in secondary and tertiary manufacturing locations that already export globally but need support to enter the UAE market.
Compliance becomes a priority
In addition to growth opportunities, panelists said companies can no longer afford to ignore accounting, tax and regulatory compliance.
Huzefa Vorajee, founder and CEO of Evolve Accounting Group, said that following the introduction of VAT and corporate tax, compliance has moved from a back-office function to the heart of business operations.
“It’s no longer something that can be proven as a back-office function; it’s front and center of the business,” he said.
He added that investors are increasingly demanding well-regulated markets. “Investors are not only looking at low-tax areas, but also regulations.”
Why free zones remain popular
The panel discussion also discussed why free zones continue to attract start-ups and small businesses.
Hojeige said flexibility, quick licensing and fewer set-up requirements remain major advantages compared to setting up a company on the mainland.
“Flexibility, agility and speed of setup are what attract entrepreneurs the most,” he said.
Islam added that each free zone in the UAE serves a different industry, with manufacturers, healthcare providers and technology companies choosing jurisdictions based on their specific business needs, rather than competing solely on cost.
Female Entrepreneurs Gaining Confidence
Business leader and author Sanaa Oamane said women entrepreneurs are entering the market with more confidence than ever before.
“Women aren’t asking for a seat at the table anymore; they’re building the table,” she says.
She advised aspiring entrepreneurs to focus on solving real problems rather than starting a business without a clear purpose.
“The first thing I think about is, does this idea solve the problem?” she said.
She also emphasized that investors are as supportive of founders as they are of business ideas, and that resilience and personal authenticity are important qualities for entrepreneurs.
Dhanusha is the chief reporter for Gulf News in Dubai and has a strong grasp of the current state of the aviation industry in the UAE, the region and the world. She delves into how airlines and airports operate, expand, and implement the latest technology. Known for her keen eye for detail, Dhanusha makes complex topics such as new aircraft, evolving travel trends, and aviation regulations easy to understand. Lately, I’ve been particularly interested in the world of eVTOL and flying cars. Dhanusha, who has been in journalism for nearly 20 years, has covered a wide range of topics from health and education to pandemics, local transport and technology. When he’s not tracking what’s happening in the skies, he enjoys exploring social media trends, technological innovations, and anything that piques the curiosity of his readers. Outside of work, you can find her obsessed with electronic dance music, pop culture, movies, and video games.
