Etihad Credit Insurance Board Approves New Strategy to Support UAE Exporters

The strategy was approved at the board's third meeting of 2026, chaired by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade and chairman of ECI. According to WAM, it sets ECI's priorities for the coming period, aims to make its products for exporters and local businesses more effective, and widens partnerships that support foreign trade.

Al Zeyoudi said the strategy reflects a commitment to strengthening ECI's role in the country's foreign trade system "through innovative credit and insurance solutions that empower exporters to manage trade risks, engage with new buyers and explore new markets with greater confidence." He said the aim is to help UAE businesses grow their international presence, spread their exports across more destinations and add to the expansion of non-oil trade.

The board reviewed how its strategic initiatives are progressing, along with recent cooperation agreements ECI has signed with banks, financial institutions and other export credit agencies. Members also discussed developing new financing and insurance products for exporters. WAM said board members stressed the importance of close coordination with partners "amid regional and international developments", which they said supports reliable trade flows and non-oil supply chains and helps small and medium-sized enterprises enter new markets.

Al Zeyoudi linked the effort to the UAE's network of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements and the 'We the UAE 2031' vision. The WAM report did not give financial targets, coverage volumes or timelines for the new strategy.

Why It Matters

Export credit insurance protects sellers if foreign buyers fail to pay, and it often decides whether banks will finance export deals. Regional conflict has disrupted some Gulf trade routes this year, and the UAE is trying to raise non-oil exports through its trade agreements. A broader role for ECI could make it easier for UAE manufacturers and SMEs to sell into riskier or less familiar markets.