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UAE-India CEPA Council Signs MoU with BHU’s Atal Incubation Centre to Boost Bilateral Startup Ecosystem

MOUs and Agreement | Dated: 21 Jul 2025

In July 2025, the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) Council, also known as UICC, signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Atal Incubation Centre – Mahamana Foundation for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Institute of Management, Banaras Hindu University (AIC-MFIE-IM-BHU), located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The MoU aims to strengthen startup and innovation collaboration between the United Arab Emirates and India, especially in emerging innovation hubs in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
  • - The MoU was officially signed between Ahmed Aljneibi, Director of the UICC, and Professor P.V. Rajeev, the Professor-in-Charge of AIC-MFIE-IM-BHU. This partnership reflects both countries’ commitment to building sustainable innovation ecosystems and fostering cross-border entrepreneurship by connecting incubators, mentors, and capital.
  • - Through this agreement, over 110 startups currently incubated at AIC-BHU will gain institutional exposure and cross-national collaboration opportunities in key growth sectors. These include healthcare, agricultural technology (agri-tech), clean energy, logistics, and other areas aligned with sustainable development goals and startup-friendly industries.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) A major highlight of this partnership is its integration into the UAE-India Start-Up Series, a strategic initiative to bridge Indian startups with UAE’s fast-growing innovation landscape. Startups selected under this initiative will benefit from fast-track business licensing in the UAE, access to local mentorship, investor networks, and incubation support through UICC’s ecosystem.
  • (ii) The MoU also establishes a framework for knowledge exchange, innovation-driven institutional linkages, and cross-border funding opportunities. Both institutions will work to organize joint startup expos, hackathons, investor connects, and capacity-building programs for student entrepreneurs and early-stage founders.
  • (iii) This initiative aligns with the broader CEPA agreement signed between India and the UAE in 2022, which has accelerated economic partnerships across trade, services, and investment. The UICC–AIC-BHU collaboration now represents a startup-focused milestone under CEPA, targeting inclusive growth beyond metropolitan regions.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Which country’s CEPA Council signed an MoU with BHU’s Atal Incubation Centre in July 2025 to boost startup ties?

Correct Answer: UAE

🚀 Quick Recap:

About UAE

  • Currency: United Arab Emirates Dirham
  • President: Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan