ع
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri highlighted the UAE’s economic resilience during an appearance on the sidelines of the Make it in the Emirates 2026 event. The minister of economy and tourism attributed the sustained momentum to diversification strategies and partnerships with leading global economies that have positioned the country as a preferred investment destination. He noted that the economic model has allowed flexible adaptation to geopolitical developments without disrupting growth trajectories. According to the minister, these efforts have also elevated the UAE’s standing in new economy sectors through focused national policies on innovation.
The minister stated that the UAE economy is expected to expand by more than 3.1 percent in 2026. IMF data places the projected real GDP growth for the year at exactly 3.1 percent. A World Bank assessment found growth could moderate to 2.4 percent in 2026 before accelerating to over 4 percent in subsequent years amid regional conditions. Al Marri emphasised that current challenges have not negatively impacted the diversified structure or international partnerships supporting the outlook.
According to Al Marri, non-oil sectors now account for 78 percent of GDP, with the share steadily advancing toward 80 percent. Ministry of Economy and Tourism figures show non-oil activities grew 5.3 percent in the first quarter of 2025 to reach 352 billion dirhams while contributing 77.3 percent during that period. The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre reported that full-year 2025 real GDP expanded 6.2 percent to 1.9 trillion dirhams, with non-oil GDP rising 6.8 percent to 1.5 trillion dirhams. The minister described this trend as evidence of successful policies aligned with the We the UAE 2031 vision to expand the overall economy to 3 trillion dirhams.
Al Marri added that the number of registered companies operating in the UAE has surpassed 1.4 million. This total reflects ongoing attraction of foreign direct investment driven by an advanced business environment and strong global ties. The minister said diversification has reinforced investor confidence and established the country as a hub for sustainable expansion across multiple sectors including finance, tourism and advanced technology.
The Make it in the Emirates 2026 gathering, hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, focused on industrial growth and innovation. Organisers from ADNEC Group and collaborators positioned the event as a platform to translate national ambitions into scaled production. Al Marri used the occasion to outline how economic reforms have built adaptability while maintaining momentum in non-oil drivers such as construction, trade and services.
According to the minister, the UAE continues to draw capital from worldwide markets through targeted strategies that promote long-term progress. These initiatives have helped insulate the economy from external pressures and supported consistent inflows of new businesses. Data from international institutions underpin the confidence in sustained performance through the remainder of the decade.
