UAE economy to grow 10% over the next decade, says Minister

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Updated 06 September 2021
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UAE economy to grow 10% over the next decade, says Minister

  • The UAE economy, built over a period of 50 years, has the potential for growth of more than 10 percent in the next ten years
  • New legislation in the last stage include 100 percent foreign ownership to attract foreign investments and open foreign horizons

RIYADH: The UAE economy, built over a period of 50 years, has the potential for growth of more than 10 percent in the next ten years, Minister of Economy Abdulla bin Touq said.

The country "provided investors with flexible legislation, proactive steps and stimulus packages that amounted to 100 billion Emirati dirhams ($27.2 billion), in addition to addressing the situation to attract investment," bin Touq said.

"There are legislations launched in the last stage, such as 100 percent foreign ownership to attract foreign investments and open foreign horizons for the UAE's exports to the world," he said during an interview with Al Arabiya.

Among the most prominent efforts "presented by the UAE were commercial transactions and the Companies Law, which approved 100 percent foreign ownership of companies," he explained.


The UAE's hosting of the Future Investments Summit will bring together minds from government agencies, businessmen, investment funds and academics to focus on what are the future investments in the next fifty years, he added.


Dubai’s GDP hits $96.6bn in first 9 months of 2025 

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Dubai’s GDP hits $96.6bn in first 9 months of 2025 

Dubai’s economy expanded 4.7 percent in the first nine months of 2025, lifting gross domestic product to 355 billion dirhams ($96.6 billion) as growth accelerated across finance, construction and services, according to state data. 

GDP reached 113.8 billion dirhams in the third quarter alone, up 5.3 percent from a year earlier, the Emirates News Agency – WAM reported, citing official figures.  

Private-sector forecasts point to continued expansion, with a December research note from Emirates NBD projecting growth of about 4.5 percent in 2026, supported by tourism, investment and infrastructure momentum. 

In its latest analysis, WAM said the sustained growth in Dubai’s economy reflects the vitality of the local economy and the success of development policies driving the emirate’s prosperity. 

Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said: “The growth we are seeing today in Dubai’s economy is beyond what the numbers show, as it means more economic prosperity, family well-being, and growing confidence in the future of the Emirate.”   

He added: “Dubai does not rely on a single sector, but on an economic system in which all sectors are integrated, to grow together strongly and steadily, based on harmonious work teams united by the determination to achieve the highest goals of the Emirate.” 

Health and social work activities were the fastest-growing segment, expanding 15.4 percent year on year in the first nine months and contributing about 1.5 percent to GDP. Financial and insurance activities grew 8.5 percent and accounted for roughly 12 percent of output, highlighting the emirate’s role as a regional financial hub. 

In the first three quarters of 2025, the construction sector grew by 8.5 percent and contributed 6.7 percent to the emirate’s GDP. 

The real estate sector expanded by 6.7 percent during the first nine months of 2025, with its contribution to Dubai’s GDP reaching 8.2 percent. 

Director General of the Department of Economy and Tourism, Helal Saeed Al Marri, said: “Dubai’s economic performance during the first nine months of 2025 reflects our ability to sustain and accelerate growth.”  

He added: “Collaboration with our partners in the public and private sectors will enable us to launch initiatives that enhance competitiveness and open new horizons of opportunity, ensuring that Dubai remains on track to achieve the ambitious goals of Dubai’s D33 Economic Agenda.”