The UAE reinforced its position as one of the fastest-growing economies globally in 2025, driven by strong expansion in non-oil industries, record inflows of foreign direct investment and flexible, business-friendly policies.
Non-oil foreign trade surged 24.5% in the first half of the year to Dh1.7 trillion, growing at a pace 14 times faster than the global average.
Real GDP rose 4.2% year on year to Dh929 billion in the first half of 2025, led by a 5.7% increase in non-oil GDP to Dh720 billion, which accounted for 77.5% of overall output.
Reflecting this momentum, the IMF upgraded its full-year growth projection to 4.8%, while Fitch, Moody’s and S&P reaffirmed the UAE’s sovereign ratings, citing strong economic performance and solid public finances, Gulf News reports.
The federal budget for 2026 reached a record Dh92.4 billion. The UNCTAD World Investment Report 2025 ranked the UAE 10th worldwide for inbound foreign direct investment, which totalled Dh167.6 billion in 2024.
Furthermore, central bank figures showed gross banking assets rising to Dh5.19 trillion by the end of September, while gross credit stood at Dh2.47 trillion.
The central bank also launched the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2026–2030 to expand access to financial services and strengthen financial stability.
The federal budget for 2026 reached a record Dh92.4 billion. The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology signed five memoranda of understanding with national banks, securing more than Dh40 billion in financing for the industrial sector.
Meanwhile, the fourth edition of the “Make it in the Emirates” platform concluded with Dh11 billion worth of projects and attracted 122,000 visitors.
In addition, the Cabinet approved the National Investment Strategy 2031, comprising 12 programmes and 30 initiatives designed to boost annual foreign direct investment from Dh112 billion in 2023 to Dh240 billion by 2031, while expanding total foreign investment stock from Dh800 billion to Dh2.2 trillion.
It also launched a National Investment Fund with initial capital of Dh36.7 billion, alongside the rollout of the UAE Strategy for Islamic Finance and the Halal Industry.
Moreover, the “UAE Future 50” initiative covered 15 sectors and was backed by a drive to train 10,000 entrepreneurs, reinforcing the country’s ambition to become a leading global startup hub.
Between January and November, more than 220,000 new businesses were registered, while trademark filings jumped 48.2% year on year to exceed 36,000. By the end of September, active trademarks reached 402,311, with almost 20,000 added in the first half alone, an increase of 129%.
Broader economic partnership agreements, the launch of the “UAE Global Centre of Trade” aimed at the top 1,000 traders, and the introduction of a digital exporter gateway reinforced the UAE’s position as a key global trade hub.