Over the past years, more than 40 laws and regulations governing the business ecosystem have been updated
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, said on Thursday that the UAE economy continues to achieve strong and accelerated growth, supported by a clear leadership vision, flexible and advanced legislation and a globally competitive business environment.
In statements to WAM on the sidelines of the “Investopia Partners” event held today in Abu Dhabi, bin Touq said projections indicate that the UAE’s economy will grow by more than 5 percent during the current year, alongside growth exceeding 5.5 percent in non-oil sectors.
The Minister of Economy and Tourism added that non-oil sectors are expected to account for 78 percent of the country’s GDP, reflecting the resilience of the UAE’s economy and the diversity of its growth drivers.
He explained that this positive performance is driven by the country’s clear strategic vision and the continuous updating of economic legislation and policies. Over the past years, more than 40 laws and regulations governing the business ecosystem have been updated, contributing to facilitating business operations and enhancing the competitiveness of the investment environment.
Bin Touq also highlighted the significant growth in the number of companies registered in the national economic register, which increased from around 650,000 companies five years ago to more than 1.45 million at present, underscoring the country’s attractiveness to businesses and investments from around the world.
He expressed expectations that the number of companies will reach two million by 2031.
He further stressed that the leadership’s directives to enhance ease of doing business and adopt flexible policies and legislation, particularly the Commercial Companies Law, which has reinforced the UAE’s position as a global platform for family businesses that choose the country as a main headquarters to manage their investments and operations worldwide.
Read: Abu Dhabi’s economy grows 7.7 percent in Q3 2025, reaching record $88.69 billion
Earlier in the year, Al Marri revealed that 250,000 new companies joined the UAE economy in 2025. He added that the total number of companies operating in the UAE rose to 1.4 million by the end of 2025, representing a growth of 119 percent.
The minister also explained that the UAE attracted more than 760,000 new companies since the introduction of full foreign ownership of commercial companies in 2021. Looking ahead, he noted that the UAE’s target for the next decade is to reach 2 million companies.
On the participation of UAE citizens, the Minister of Economy and Tourism revealed that the number of small businesses owned by UAE nationals increased by 63 percent over the past five years.
Development across key pillars of the UAE economy has cemented the nation’s position as a highly sought-after destination for foreign companies. Pro-business government policies, an innovation-friendly ecosystem and broader macroeconomic stability have not only attracted international investors but also empowered residents and citizens to establish and scale their companies locally, underscoring the UAE’s growing role as a long-term global business hub.
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