Topic
UAE Economy
Stories tagged UAE Economy
McDonald's UAE Economic Impact: $631M GDP Report
McDonald's UAE has formally quantified its economic footprint for the first time. An Oxford Economics report covering the full 2024 financial year puts the brand's GDP contribution at AED 2.32 billion ($631.7M), with 13,100 jobs supported and 62 million guests served.
18 May 2026
UAE Tops Global Entrepreneurship Rankings for Fifth Year
The UAE has ranked No. 1 for entrepreneurship in the GEM 2025/2026 report for the fifth consecutive year, topping high-income economies in eight categories with a NECI score of 7.0 across 53 economies worldwide.
11 May 2026
Abu Dhabi to Host World Bank IMF Meetings in 2029
Abu Dhabi locked in one of the biggest global finance events on the planet — the 2029 World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings. Million Dollar Listing UAE's Nassira Sekkay puts the significance of this rare regional honor into sharp perspective.
22 Apr 2026
UAE Global Exports Hit 9th Worldwide in WTO Rankings
UAE global exports are now ranked 9th globally, up from 17th just five years ago, marking the country's first-ever entry into the WTO top 10. Total trade has surpassed AED 6 trillion ($1.6 trillion), with non-oil foreign trade crossing $1 trillion for the first time.
6 Apr 2026
Dubai's AED 1B Economic Relief Package Explained
Dubai's AED 1 billion economic relief package is now in effect. Approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the plan runs three to six months from April 1, 2026, covering fee deferrals, customs grace periods, and hotel Tourism Dirham support.
5 Apr 2026
Why Dubai Is the World's Top Business Hub
Global founders, investors, and executives keep talking about Dubai. In boardrooms, startup communities, and investor meetings, the city keeps surfacing in conversations about opportunity and international expansion — and it's easy to see why.
16 Mar 2026
UAE Registers 250,000 New Companies in 2025
The UAE added 250,000 new companies in 2025, pushing total registered businesses past 1.4 million. Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri credited Commercial Companies Law reforms since 2021, which helped attract 760,000 new firms and grow UAE national SME numbers by 63 percent.
7 Jan 2026
UAE Tourism Hits Dhs257bn in 2025, Breaks Visitor Records
UAE tourism in 2025 contributed Dhs257.3 billion to the national economy — 13% of GDP — while hotels welcomed 23.27 million guests in the first nine months alone, revenues surged 7.2%, and the UAE secured historic global leadership at UN Tourism.
21 Dec 2025
Dubai Millionaires 2025: 81,000 HNWIs, Ranked 18th Globally
Dubai now hosts over 81,000 millionaires, 237 centi-millionaires, and 20 billionaires, per the Henley & Partners World's Wealthiest Cities Report 2025, which ranks the emirate 18th globally — up from 21st — after a 102% surge in HNWI numbers over the past decade.
9 Apr 2025
UAE New Dirham Symbol and Digital Currency Explained
The UAE has unveiled a new dirham symbol — a stylised "D" with two horizontal lines representing stability — alongside plans for a blockchain-powered Digital Dirham CBDC launching in Q4 2025, targeting cross-border payments and financial inclusion.
27 Mar 2025
UAE Job Market 2025: Economic Growth and AI Drive Hiring
The UAE job market in 2025 is thriving, powered by AI advancements and strong economic forecasts from the IMF, World Bank, and UAE Central Bank. Demand is rising for AI, machine learning, healthcare, and digital marketing professionals as the country extends its lead as a global
5 Jan 2025
UAE GDP Grows 3.6% in H1 2024 on Non-Oil Strength
The UAE's real GDP reached AED 879.6 billion ($239.5 billion) in H1 2024, a 3.6% year-on-year rise. Non-oil sectors drove 75% of output, with transport, finance, and construction posting the strongest gains as the country advances its 2031 diversification goals.
31 Dec 2024
Five Key Trends Shaping Dubai's Real Estate Market in 2025
Dubai's property market is entering 2025 with strong momentum — rental prices forecast to jump 18% short-term, 9,000 luxury villas delivered in 2024 with 19,700 more due in 2025, and blockchain technology streamlining transactions. Here are the five key trends driving the
27 Dec 2024
UAE Hotel Revenue Hits $9.1B in First Nine Months of 2024
UAE hotel revenue reached AED 33.5 billion ($9.1 billion) in the first nine months of 2024, up 4% year-on-year, with a 77.8% average occupancy rate and 75.5 million hotel nights recorded across the seven emirates.
13 Dec 2024
UAE-China Trade Hits $100 Billion in 2024
China has become the UAE's third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade expected to surpass $100 billion by the end of 2024. The "Invest in China" promotional roadshow at Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi brought together government officials, sovereign wealth funds, and business
12 Dec 2024
UAE Economy to Grow 5% in 2025, Says UBS Wealth Management
UAE economy growth in 2025 is forecast to surpass 5%, according to Michael Bolliger, Chief Investment Officer for Emerging Markets at UBS Global Wealth Management — matching the IMF's 5.1% GDP projection and supported by Chinese stimulus, OPEC policy, and anticipated US interest
28 Oct 2024
UAE GDP to Grow 4.1% in 2025, Says World Bank
The World Bank projects UAE GDP growth at 3.3% in 2024, rising to 4.1% in 2025 — the highest real per-capita growth rate in the MENA region — as the country's non-oil sector and economic diversification drive sustained expansion.
17 Oct 2024
UAE Economy Growth to Hit 4.8% by 2025
Oxford Economics forecasts UAE economy growth will accelerate to 4.8% by 2025, with the non-oil sector rising 4.6% in 2024. Chief Economist Scott Livermore credits record Dubai tourism, 100% foreign ownership rules, and Vision 2031 initiatives for driving the expansion.
22 Sep 2024
Abu Dhabi Freelancer License Expands to 100 Activities
Abu Dhabi's freelancer license portfolio has grown to 100 activities after ADDED added 30 new fields including AI development, 3D model designing, and data analysis — expanding flexible work options for UAE nationals and residents.
17 Aug 2024
Dubai AI Data Centres to Add $3.89B to Economy by 2028
Digital Dubai's Strategic Vision for the Data Centre Economy targets AED 14.3 billion ($3.89 billion) in new value by 2028, drawing AI data centres to support Web 3.0, IoT, and the D33 digital economy plan.
3 Aug 2024
DIFC 20th Anniversary: Record H1 2024 Results
DIFC reported record H1 2024 results as it marks its 20th anniversary: active firms surpassed 6,000 for the first time, AUM jumped 58% to $700 billion, and the workforce grew to 43,787 — cementing Dubai's lead as the region's top global financial centre.
30 Jul 2024
Ajman GDP 2023: Economy Surges to AED 36 Billion
Ajman's economy posted robust growth in 2023, with nominal GDP reaching AED 36.27 billion — a 6.25% rise over 2022's AED 33.9 billion — according to advance estimates from the Ajman Statistics Centre. Manufacturing, wholesale trade, and construction were the top-contributing
1 Jul 2024
UAE GDP to Grow 3.9% in 2024, World Bank Projects
The World Bank's Global Economic Prospects report projects UAE GDP growth at 3.9% in 2024 and 4.1% in 2025, with the wider MENA region forecast to expand at 2.8% and 4.2% respectively.
12 Jun 2024