We are the first in the Arab world and among the 20 most important international economies that are a source of foreign direct investment

Today, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, chaired the Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, during which he approved the Union’s annual budget for the year 2026, with estimated revenues of 92.4 billion dirhams and similar and balanced expenditures.

His Highness explained that the Union’s budget for the year 2026 is the highest since the establishment of the Union. His Highness also confirmed that the UAE is the first in the Arab world and among the 20 most important international economies as a source of foreign direct investment.

His Highness said in a blog post on the “X” platform: “Today I chaired the Council of Ministers meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi… during which we approved the annual budget of the Union for the year 2026, with estimated revenues of 92.4 billion dirhams and similar and balanced expenditures.”

His Highness added: “The Union budget for the year 2026 is the highest since the inception of the Union… a budget that consolidates the federal system… and through it we reflect our continued commitment to balanced development.”

His Highness continued: “We also approved the establishment of a program to support the federal financial center and strengthen it annually with allocations from the federal budget with the aim of ensuring the financial sustainability of the federal state institutions.”

Regarding the national agenda for direct investment outside the country, His Highness explained: “Today we also reviewed the results of implementing the national agenda for direct investment outside the country for the year 2024… where our cumulative balance of outward foreign investment reached one trillion and fifty million dirhams… with a growth of 9% over the previous year… We are the first in the Arab world and among the 20 most important international economies that are a source of foreign direct investment.”

His Highness added: “Today we adopted 35 international agreements and memorandums in the fields of economy and cooperation… and in the same meeting we reviewed the results of implementing the UAE export development policy… which jumped from about 470 to 950 billion dirhams, with a growth rate of 103% from 2019 to 2024.”

His Highness concluded by saying: “Our budgets are balanced, our investments are increasing, our foreign trade is accelerating, our economy is growing, and our state is in glory and elevation, led by my brother Mohammed bin Zayed from summit to summit in prosperity, stability, and a decent life for its people and for all residents of its good land.”