From 28th to 5th: UAE’s Rise in Global Rankings
The UAE Cabinet, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum—Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai—recently held a meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. The session brought together several senior leaders, including H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
A number of national priorities were reviewed and key updates shared during the meeting, including progress in global competitiveness rankings, housing, digital transformation, trade partnerships, and development programmes across the Emirates.
UAE Joins the World’s Top 5 in Global Competitiveness
The Cabinet reviewed the UAE’s latest ranking in the 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Report, where the country placed fifth globally—up from 28th in 2009. The report placed the UAE ahead of countries like the US, Sweden, and Germany, and ranked it first globally in the "absence of bureaucracy" index and second in the "government policy adaptability" index.
Fourteen years ago, the UAE established a national competitiveness centre. Since then, consistent efforts by government entities have helped the country improve across multiple indicators—especially in economic performance, government efficiency, and business environment.
Progress in Housing, Development, and Infrastructure
The Cabinet approved over AED 1.2 billion in housing grants for 1,838 Emirati citizens during the first half of the year. The move aligns with the UAE's ongoing strategy to provide dignified housing and enhance family stability.
Also reviewed were key initiatives from the Emirates Council for Balanced Development, chaired by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The council’s projects—spanning economic, social, and tourism development in villages—have created opportunities for youth, families, and small business owners.
Major projects include waterfront developments in Qidfa and Al Sila’, public amenities in Masfout, and new cultural attractions in Al Rams. Through initiatives like “UAE Villages Councils” and the “Jothoor” project to support female artisans, local communities are seeing a fresh focus on grassroots development.
Free Trade, Industrial Growth, and SME Impact
The Cabinet also discussed the 2024 annual report from the Higher Commission for Free Trade Negotiations. According to the report, the UAE concluded 27 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs), with eight already in force. These deals helped push the country’s foreign trade volume to over AED 5.2 trillion in 2024.
Non-oil exports exceeded AED 440 billion in 2023—a significant 83 percent jump compared to 2019. Re-exports and FDI inflows also saw strong performance, reinforcing the UAE’s global trade position.
Meanwhile, the 2025 edition of “Make it in the Emirates” attracted over 122,000 participants and facilitated AED 168 billion in procurement agreements, localising the manufacturing of nearly 5,000 products. Around AED 11 billion worth of new industrial projects and AED 40 billion in financing were also announced, supporting UAE-based SMEs and manufacturers.
A new category was introduced this year to honour individuals and organisations excelling in traditional Emirati crafts—an effort to link heritage with innovation.
Digital Adoption, Maritime Strategy, and Environmental Measures
Digital transformation remains a strong focus. The UAE’s digital identity platform now has over 11 million registered users and has supported more than 600 million secure logins. Over 130 government and private sector entities are integrated into this digital ecosystem, which has processed 2.6 billion transactions so far.
The Cabinet approved the formation of the National Maritime Navigation Center under the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. The centre will manage maritime traffic, safety protocols, environmental protection, and scientific research—all aimed at improving coordination across the maritime sector.
In line with sustainability goals, the UAE Council for Climate Action has been restructured to oversee the country’s Net Zero 2050 strategy. Measures include adding nine biodiversity hotspots, expanding protected areas, and launching a roadmap to plant 100 million mangroves by 2030.
National and Global Engagement
The Cabinet approved the negotiation and signing of 36 international agreements and protocols. These span economic, investment, tourism, and legal sectors with countries including Montenegro, Uganda, Kenya, Vietnam, and Hong Kong. Four new UAE embassies will open in Africa, and a new consulate will be established in Miami, USA.
Further, the UAE has joined several international forums including the International Competition Network and the OECD Forum on Tax Administration.
On the legislative side, the Cabinet gave the green light to draft a new federal law to protect the UAE’s cultural heritage and enhance global alignment on intangible heritage preservation.
A Steady Approach to Growth
While the announcements covered wide-ranging areas, the tone of the meeting reflected steady and strategic planning. Whether it’s through trade agreements, infrastructure projects, SME financing, or digital transformation, the UAE continues to invest in long-term, inclusive growth. For the country's small and mid-sized businesses, the message is clear: there’s a growing ecosystem of support to help them thrive within the broader national development agenda.
