The UAE establishes its position as a global destination in attracting foreign direct investments at 167.6 billion dirhams in 2024

Dubai, June 19 / WAM / The UAE ranked tenth globally as the largest destination for foreign direct investment flows in the world, and the country recorded an unprecedented level in the direct foreign investment flows received at a value of 167.6 billion dirhams (45.6 billion US dollars) in 2024, according to the Global Investment Report 2025 for the United Nations Trade and Development Conference “Unkad”.
The Foreign Investment Report in the United Arab Emirates 2025, issued by the Ministry of Investment, revealed the outstanding performance and unprecedented success of the state in attracting capital across various strategic sectors to enhance its position as a leading global investment destination, despite the unstable global scene.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, “may God bless him”, stressed that the presence of the UAE led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, in the tenth place globally as the largest destination for foreign direct investment in the year 2024 proves that the UAE is the land of opportunities and the ideal destination for companies and promising ideas.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “In an international vote on confidence in the economy of the UAE … According to the report issued by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the foreign direct investment flows of the state amounted to 167 billion dirhams (45 billion dollars) in 2024 a growth of 48% from the previous year.”
His Highness added: “The UAE has acquired 37% of the total foreign investment flows at the region level … (out of every 100 dollars comes as foreign investments for the region 37 dollars from it heading to the UAE) … The UAE also ranked second globally in the number of new foreign direct investment projects after the United States … Our new goal is to attract direct foreign investment flows of 1.3 trillion dirhams during the next six years with permission God”.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “Our reality is firm … and our future is missionary … and our focus on our goals is clear … and our message: development is the key to stability … and the economy is the most important policy.”

Although the growth of foreign directly founding foreign investment projects is slow to 0.8%, the UAE has achieved a remarkable growth of 2.8%, thus enhancing its position as a major destination for investment flows, and the total directly founding foreign investment capital that was announced in 2024 amounted to 53.3 billion dirhams (14.5 billion US dollars).
The UAE ranked second in the world after the United States of America in attracting foreign, constructive foreign investment projects, as 1369 new projects were announced in 2024.
The Ministry of Investment leads these efforts by enabling investment in the main sectors, providing a flexible competitive environment for global capital, and working as a reliable partner for global investors. The Ministry continues its close cooperation with federal and local government agencies, investment promotion bodies, private sector companies and international partners to develop innovative policies, enhance the investment value offered by the state, and open new horizons for long -term economic growth.
Annual foreign direct investment flows increased from 31.6 billion dirhams (8.6 billion US dollars) in 2015 to 167.6 billion dirhams ($ 45.6 billion) in 2024, while the balance of foreign direct accumulating accumulation amounted to 994.9 billion dirhams (270.6 billion US dollars), with an annual growth rate of 10.5% during the period from 2015 to 2024.
His Excellency Mohamed Hassan Al -Suwaidi, Minister of Investment, said, “This unprecedented level of foreign investment flows to the UAE, an achievement that reflects the strategic options taken by our wise leadership and its long -term vision to consolidate the UAE’s position as a leading destination for global investment, and the Ministry of Investment is committed to developing a comprehensive organizational and legislative framework that is in line with our national priorities, meets the needs of investors, provides a competitive business environment It attracts global capital. ”
His Excellency added: “The investment system in the UAE has become a global model to follow thanks to its stability, transparency, commercial openness of the country and the ease of practicing business in it. Through the National Investment Strategy 2031, we continue to set ambitious goals to establish the UAE’s position as a leading global destination for foreign direct investment, and we provide a clear path to advance sustainable growth, double investment opportunities, and diversify Priority sectors, and open new horizons for international companies seeking innovation and expansion in future markets.
The strong performance of the main economic sectors contributed to promoting the upward path of the number of foreign directly established foreign investment projects announced in the country, where software and information technology services ranked first in terms of the value of projects (11.5%), followed by business services (9.7%), renewable energy (9.3%), coal, oil and gas (9%), and real estate (7.8%). While the energy sector has attracted foreign directly founding investments worth 4.8 billion dirhams ($ 1.3 billion), which strengthened the national goal of the state by doubled the production capacity of renewable energy three times by 2030.

The policies supporting the investment environment and strong strategic partnerships of the UAE contributed to the establishment of the UAE’s position as a major destination for foreign capital in the region, as the UAE acquired about 37% of foreign direct investment flows received to the region in 2024.
The UAE continues to attract the best global talents driven by a package of policies that support its investment policy, and this includes enabling foreigners to fully ownership of companies on the mainland, determining the rate of competitive companies by 9%, simplifying licensing procedures, and enhancing legal protection.
These policies have contributed to establishing a favorable business environment for investment, while strong legal frameworks – such as international arbitration centers such as the “Dubai International Arbitration Center” – contributed to enhancing investor confidence and protecting their interests. The UAE is ranked fifth in the world in attracting high -skilled talents (according to the rankings of global talents for the year 2024, issued by the International Institute for Administrative Development), and the third in attracting talents of artificial intelligence (the 2024 artificial intelligence index, issued by Stanford University), which establishes its position as a major destination to attract professionals, entrepreneurs and innovators.
Global partnerships are also an another major driver to attract investments to the state, as the 21 comprehensive economic partnership agreements contributed to the 21 agreements, and 120 bilateral investment treaties in supporting the investment scene clearly.
This momentum is based on the huge investments of the state in the field of digital transformation, which is evident in the joint venture of 5.5 billion dirhams ($ 1.5 billion) between Microsoft and the Abu Dhabi -based G42, to develop the capabilities of artificial intelligence in the country and set new standards for innovation.
The National Investment Strategy 2031 aims to double the annual foreign investment flows by 2031, reaching 1.3 trillion dirhams of foreign direct accumulated investment during the period between 2025-2031, and reaching the size of the foreign direct investment stocks to 2.2 trillion dirhams.
The strategy focuses on many priority sectors such as advanced industries, renewable energy, financial services, and information technology with a focus on sustainability and innovation. The initiatives under this strategy aim to consolidate the global leading position of the UAE in the field of economic diversity and technological progress.

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