Promising and Diversified Foreign Investment Sectors in the UAE

Fintech
Healthcare
Space
Manufacturing
Media and Entertainment
Smart Cities
e-Commerce
Education
Logistics Services
Medical Tourism
Creative Industries
AgriTech
Tourism
ICT
Renewable Energy
Gaming

The world’s nexus

UAE’s Investment Ecosystem
The UAE

A platform for growth

We aim to cultivate the UAE’s dynamic ecosystem of capital, talent, and innovation, facilitating the exchange of ideas between the East and West. Our mission is to establish a sustainable platform for the advancement of technology, trade, and human capital, which will ultimately generate a positive impact that reaches far beyond our seven emirates, benefiting the entire region.

#1

Business-friendly
environment

#2

Diverse and
emerging sectors

#3

Strategic geographic
location

#4

A global nexus of
connectivity

#5

Global quality
of life standards

#6

Gateway to
capital access

Overview of the UAE

The UAE offers an attractive investment environment with a vibrant culture, investor-friendly laws, strong security, and political stability. The 2018 Foreign Direct Investment Law has opened numerous opportunities in both mainland and free zone areas.

Livability

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Liveability

  • #21 globally in UN's World Happiness Report, and #1 in the region
  • Ranks #12 safest country in Global Residence Index
  • #10 in healthcare efficiency, #22 in innovation, #1 in accredited health facilities

Capital

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Capital

  • Attracts $22.7 billion in FDI, ranking #16 globally
  • $509 billion GDP, second-largest in the GCC and Arab world
  • Achieves a 10% CGAR
  • Contributes over 32% to the region's total FDI
  • Top foreign investment destination in the MENA region (2023)

Talent

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Talent

  • Skilful and diverse workforce
  • #1 in Arab world for attracting and retaining talent according to the 2023 IMD World Talent Ranking
  • #22 in the IMD World Talent Ranking 2023 report
  • Arabic and English main languages
  • New visa system drawing qualified professionals and encouraging them to stay longer

Knowledge

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Knowledge

  • Ranks #16 in primary education quality, #12 in higher education quality, and #8 in teaching quality
  • Provides students with top-notch educational opportunities and a strong foundation by ensuring high teaching standards

Sustainability

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Sustainability

  • Dominates the Middle East's renewable energy capacity at 68%
  • #6 globally for the highest per capita consumption of solar energy
  • #1 in the MENA region and #11 globally in UNIDO's Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development Index

Innovation

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Innovation

  • #4 in the world to launch commercial 5G services and #1 in the fastest mobile internet network ranking
  • #1 in region and #31 globally in the Global Innovation Index 2022
  • #1 in the Arab world and #28 globally in the Artificial Intelligence Index

Promising and varied investment opportunities

The UAE is proactively encouraging the development of the knowledge and digital economy by identifying the following sectors as particularly promising:

Energy

In the 2023 global competitiveness rankings, the UAE has secured the top position in five critical indicators, including access to electricity and energy infrastructure.

Financial services

The UAE ranks second globally and first in Asia, Africa and Europe in consumer trust in banks, which stood at 84% in 2022, according to an Annual Trust Index Survey.

Life sciences

In 2022, UAE ranked first in the MENA region in attracting multinational companies in the pharmaceutical industry. The country has a total of 92 marketing offices, employing more than 3,000 individuals, along with a foreign direct investment value of around $817 million.
Success Stories

Creating category leaders
and global icons