The UAE has approved a massive new national investment strategy as it looks to more than double FDI inflows.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, chaired the UAE Cabinet meeting held at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi.
Sheikh Mohammed said: “Today, I chaired a UAE Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, we approved our National Investment Strategy for the next six years. Our goal is to increase annual foreign investment inflows from AED112bn ($30.5bn) in 2023 to AED240bn ($65.4bn) by 2031 and grow the UAE’s total foreign investment stock from AED800bn ($218bn) to AED2.2tn ($600bn) over the coming years.
UAE National Investment Strategy
“This strategy will focus on key sectors, including industry, logistics, financial services, renewable energy, and information technology.
“The UAE continues to develop its economy, expand global markets, attract investments, and create the most business-friendly environment in the world.
“We also reviewed the progress of the UAE’s strategic partnerships with African nations, where 95 per cent of previously approved initiatives have been successfully implemented.
“As a result, our total trade volume with Sub-Saharan Africa has grown from AED126.7bn ($34.5bn) in 2019 to AED235bn ($64bn) over five years—an 87 per cent increase.
“The UAE will continue to build new economic bridges across the world and reinforce its role as a global trade hub, connecting markets worldwide.”
“We also reviewed the National Digital Economy Strategy, which aims to increase the digital economy’s contribution to GDP from 9.7 per cent to 19.4 per cent.
“We remain committed to strengthening the UAE’s position in the global digital economy through ambitious national initiatives and projects over the next six years.
“In healthcare, the Cabinet approved a new National Policy for Combating Health Risks, designed to establish national response scenarios, enhance preparedness, and develop recovery and control plans for health crises and emergencies.
“Continuous readiness for any health emergency is an essential part of strengthening health security and ensuring the highest quality of life in the UAE.”
Sheikh Mohammed added: “We also approved the Executive Regulations for Organ and Human Tissue Donation and Transplantation, ensuring better access to life-saving treatments for individuals suffering from conditions that can only be addressed through organ transplants.
“The UAE now has more than 13 licensed transplant centres, with a 30 per cent increase in transplant procedures. Kidney, liver, heart, lung, and pancreas transplants are now being performed in the UAE, and we will continue to develop the healthcare sector to provide world-class medical services for all.
“We also approved the restructuring of Emirates Research and Development Council, chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, to define national research priorities, develop policies and programmes, and enhance collaboration between government entities, the private sector, and academia.
“The UAE remains committed to expanding its leadership in research and development.”
“In social affairs, we approved a series of new decisions aimed at enhancing the social support and empowerment system. These decisions set clear eligibility criteria and establish comprehensive regulations for both basic and supplementary allowances, ensuring a more structured and effective support framework.
“The annual budget for social support programmes has increased by 29 per cent, reaching nearly AED3.5bn ($953m), while the number of beneficiaries has risen by 37 per cent—expanding support to a wider segment of society.
“Additionally, 3,200 beneficiaries have been successfully integrated into the workforce, transforming from recipients of financial aid into active contributors to the nation’s progress.”
Sheikh Mohammed said: “In the government affairs, we also approved the Remote Work System from Outside the Country in the Federal Government, enabling the UAE to tap into global expertise and specialized talent to execute projects and studies for federal entities.
“The Cabinet also approved 28 international agreements, including economic partnership agreements with Malaysia, New Zealand, and Kenya, as well as security, logistics, and government cooperation agreements with several nations.
“The teams continue their work, our growth trajectory accelerates, and every day, we witness our nation’s future becoming greater, stronger, and more prosperous—driven by the dedication of thousands of exceptional teams across all sectors.”
The UAE Cabinet approved the National Investment Strategy 2031, which focuses on transforming the UAE into a leading global strategic investment hub, strengthening its position as a key centre for attracting foreign direct investment and supporting national economic growth, as it included the identification of the most important five priority sectors based on the contribution of new foreign direct investment inflows:
- Industry
- Financial services
- Transport and logistics
- Renewable energy and water
- Telecommunications and information technology
The strategy includes 12 new programmes within the strategic directions, in addition to 30 initiatives under these programmes, most notably:
- The Financial Sector Development Programme
- The One-Market Programme
- The Institutional Innovation Attraction Programme
- The Partner Countries Gateway Programme,
- InvestUAE
- The Investment Offices
- Promotion Incubator
While current investment results indicate that total cumulative foreign direct investment is AED800bn ($218bn) and annual foreign direct investment inflows are AED112bn ($30.5bn).
The target by 2031, according to the strategy, is to increase foreign direct investment stock to AED2.2tn ($600bn), raise annual foreign direct investment inflows to AED240bn ($65.4bn), increase the share of foreign direct investment in total investments (domestic and foreign) to above 30 per cent, and reach the contribution of foreign direct investment to GDP to 8 per cent.
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