The UAE has strengthened its position as a leading global destination for promising investment opportunities and a key player in the global economy by capturing 45.4 percent of the total foreign direct investments (FDIs) flowing into the Arab states, amounting to AED248.3bn ($67.6bn) in 2023.
This is evident from the record growth in FDI inflows to the UAE, which increased by 35 per cent to reach AED112.6bn ($30.7bn) in 2023, according to the World Investment Report 2024 by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
The UAE topped the list of countries in attracting FDIs, thanks to its enablers, flexible policies, and competitiveness that facilitate the establishment of diverse business activities and pioneering startup projects.
UAE foreign direct investment
The country also boasts advanced investment legislation and incentives that boost FDI inflows. Amendments to the Commercial Companies Law, allowing foreign investors to establish and fully own companies, facilitated over 275,000 new companies within a year and a half, bringing the total to over 788,000 companies by the end of 2023.
The UAE continues to collaborate across various government and private sectors to achieve the goals of the “We the UAE 2031” vision, aiming to double the GDP to AED3tn ($817bn) and increase country’s foreign trade to AED4tn ($1.1tn).
Notably, the United Arab Emirates ranked second globally after the United States in greenfield FDI project announcements in 2023, with 1,323 new projects registered, marking a growth rate of approximately 33 per cent compared to the previous year.
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