Habib Al Mulla and Partners, a law firm in the UAE, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Emirates NBD, one of the region’s major banking groups. The agreement aims to expand Project 54, an initiative designed to support Emirati entrepreneurs.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Habib Al Mulla, Founder of Habib Al Mulla and Partners, and Marwan Hadi, Group Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management at Emirates NBD. Both organizations will collaborate to offer more opportunities and specialized support for Emirati business founders.
Dr. Habib Al Mulla stated: “As part of our mission to empower Emirati entrepreneurs, Project 54 reflects our commitment to building sustainable enterprises. With the support of Emirates NBD, we are creating a stronger foundation for entrepreneurship that will contribute to the UAE’s long-term economic growth.”
Marwan Hadi commented on the partnership: “We are committed to nurturing the next generation of Emirati entrepreneurs by providing them with the financial tools and advisory support they need to succeed. Through this collaboration with Habib Al Mulla and Partners, we aim to strengthen the ecosystem for home-grown businesses, helping them scale and contribute to the UAE’s vision of building a diversified economy.”
Under this agreement, benefits offered include fast-track account opening through a dedicated contact person, preferential loans with flexible terms, and guidance on compliance matters.
Project 54 was launched in honor of the UAE’s 54th National Day in December 2025. It aims to provide full legal support for 54 Emirati small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), supporting national economic diversification goals. With Emirates NBD joining as a strategic partner alongside other organizations such as Home Bakery and Brunswick, Project 54 has so far brought together 35 Emirati entrepreneurs. The inclusion of 17 startups from various cohorts of Emirates NBD’s National Digital Talent Incubator (NDTI) program brings the project closer to its target of empowering 54 businesses before National Day in December.
