The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reinforced its status as a premier global investment hub, attracting substantial foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows that have significantly bolstered its cumulative balance. In 2024, the nation issued 200,000 new economic licenses across various sectors, bringing the total number of operating companies and economic institutions to over 1.1 million. According to the Ministry of Investment, new and announced foundational FDI capital inflows reached $16 billion in 2023, underscoring the UAE’s appeal to international investors.
The UAE’s commitment to fostering a competitive legislative environment has been pivotal in this growth. Over the past six years, the country has enacted more than nine key economic legislations aimed at expanding businesses in new economy sectors. Notably, sectors such as business services, software, and IT services have been primary drivers of foundational investment growth, generating numerous job opportunities and attracting significant capital inflows. This strategic focus has resulted in a 7.5% increase in total jobs created, a 31% rise in announced projects, and a 37% surge in total announced foundational FDI inflows.
