Sheikh Khaled honors seven winners of Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, presented awards to the winners of the 21st Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award (SKEA) at a ceremony held today at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

This event reaffirms SKEA's role in promoting innovation and excellence within the business ecosystem. The Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award aims to enhance competitiveness and embed a culture of sustainable business practices by recognizing and rewarding outstanding performance, strategic thinking, and operational productivity. The award will continue to inspire and empower ambitious enterprises to reach new heights, contributing to a brighter future for Abu Dhabi and the UAE driven by an innovative and knowledge-based economy.

During the awards ceremony, Sheikh Khaled recognized seven companies that have demonstrated leadership in the business sector, possess forward-thinking approaches to growth and expansion, and are committed to embracing a culture of innovation and business excellence in achieving the strategic objectives of the UAE's economic vision.

The winners of the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award include: Archireef, for its innovative solutions to restore Abu Dhabi's marine ecosystems through advanced reef cultivation and 3D printing technology deployment; Shorooq, for its support of SMEs through flexible and innovative investment and management models, promoting growth and contributing to regional economic development; Union Copper Rod, for its high-quality copper rod manufacturing and export operations, providing products to key global industries and strengthening Abu Dhabi's influence in the global market; Pure Harvest Smart Farms, for transforming Abu Dhabi's agricultural sector through cutting-edge technologies such as hydroponics and climate-controlled agriculture, enabling the production of fresh, sustainable crops in desert environments; Joud Coffee, for blending creativity with community engagement, establishing itself as a cultural hub in Abu Dhabi; Hamda Al Fahim Design Studio, for redefining elegance and promoting Abu Dhabi's fashion industry on the global stage; and VCharge, for advancing electric vehicle solutions, expanding Abu Dhabi's network of solar-powered EV charging stations, and making electric transportation more accessible.

Sheikh Khaled emphasized the importance of the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award in encouraging organizations to embrace a culture of excellence and innovation, improve operational efficiency, and enhance productivity in alignment with the strategic direction of the national economic ecosystem. His Highness highlighted the significance of leveraging advanced technologies and artificial intelligence solutions to optimize organizational capabilities and operational efficiencies, enabling businesses to anticipate and adapt to the evolving needs of regional and global markets.

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI), stated that excellence and innovation possess the transformative power to drive economic and social progress: "Guided by the forward-looking vision of our leadership, Abu Dhabi's 'Falcon Economy' continues to soar, positioning the UAE as a global economic powerhouse and a preferred destination for talent, businesses, and investments. The Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award plays a vital role in this journey, inspiring ambitious organizations. It empowers them to embrace innovation, elevate industry benchmarks, and play a leading role in fostering sustainable growth."

On the sidelines of the awards ceremony, the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award office announced the restructuring of its board of directors, appointing His Excellency Saeed Abdul Jalil Al Fahim as Honorary Chairman. His Excellency Dr. Yaser Al Naqbi, Director General of the Government Empowerment Department GovAcademy, has been appointed as Chairman of the Board, while His Excellency Badr Salim Sultan Al Olama, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, has been appointed as Vice Chairman.

The board also includes Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, as well as Noor Al Tamimi, Marwa Al Mansoori, and Ahmed Al Musa, members of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Board of Directors, all of whom will serve as board members.

The ceremony included the unveiling of the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award's new brand identity, which reflects the goals and ambitions of the Abu Dhabi economy, prioritizing innovation and fostering a culture of positive impact. The new brand identity inspires organizations to adopt cutting-edge solutions, strive for operational excellence, and make meaningful contributions to the community, as well as to economic growth and diversification.