Abu Dhabi is establishing itself as a global destination for business establishment and investment

ABU DHABI, 12 JULY / WAM / The Emirate of Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a global center for business and investment, based on an advanced economic system and flexible regulatory policies, which have contributed to consolidating investor confidence and supporting the growth of the private sector.

The indicators confirm the continued positive momentum in business establishment activity, which enhances expectations for continued strong performance during the coming period within a business system capable of attracting long-term investments and enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy.

The continued performance of the business sector reflects the success of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in providing a competitive investment environment based on ease of doing business, simplifying procedures and developing digital services, in addition to providing advanced regulatory and legislative frameworks to keep pace with economic changes and meet the aspirations of investors from around the world.

Data for the first quarter of this year indicate the continued expansion of economic activity in various sectors, as craft licenses recorded a growth of 193%, commercial licenses by 20%, while licenses related to the agriculture, fisheries and livestock sectors increased by 5%, which reflects the diversification of the economic base and the expansion of investment opportunities in the emirate.

The data showed that the growth extended to include various regions of the emirate, as Al Ain region recorded the highest growth rates in new economic licenses at 58%, followed by Al Dhafra region at 28%, then Abu Dhabi city at 18%, which confirms the continuation of balanced economic development and the expansion of investment activity in various regions.

The industrial sector also continues to consolidate its role as one of the main engines of economic diversification, with 34 new industrial facilities moving into the production stage and an increase in the number of industrial facilities that entered the operating stage by 3%, which enhances the emirate’s productive capabilities, supports supply chains, and keeps pace with the objectives of the industrial strategy.

During the past year, Abu Dhabi witnessed strong momentum in future sectors, as the number of artificial intelligence and advanced technology companies increased by 22.3%, which reflects growing investor confidence in the innovation-based economy in the emirate.

His Excellency Mohammed Munif Al Mansouri, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority at the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi, confirmed in statements to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, that Abu Dhabi has succeeded in establishing an attractive business environment for quality investments and companies aspiring to growth and expansion, pointing out that the continued increase in new economic licenses confirms the strength of the economic system and its ability to maintain the pace of growth and enhance Abu Dhabi’s competitiveness regionally and globally.

Al Mansouri said that the continuation of the momentum of positive performance reflects the growing confidence of investors in various sectors, especially the industrial sector, supported by a package of regulatory initiatives, including extending the validity periods of industrial licenses, which provides greater flexibility for investors during the establishment and development stages, in addition to continuing to develop digital services and raising the efficiency of procedures.

He stressed that the Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority continues to develop the business system in accordance with the best international practices by enhancing governance and compliance and modernizing regulatory procedures in a way that supports the sustainability of economic growth and consolidates Abu Dhabi’s position as a preferred destination for quality investments and a global business center.

In the context of supporting entrepreneurship, flexible licenses continue to enhance their contribution to diversifying the economy, as “self-employed” licenses recorded a growth of 261%, “Abu Dhabi Trader” licenses by 17%, and “Innovative” licenses by 15%, which reflects the increasing demand for flexible business models and their role in empowering small business owners and freelancers.

Commercial activity indicators also reflect the vitality of the local market, with commercial advertisements increasing by 26% and promotional offers increasing by 2%, in addition to the continued growth of active licenses by 12%, which enhances indicators of business sustainability and companies’ confidence in continuing expansion within the emirate.

The momentum was not limited to the growth of business licenses, but was also reflected in Abu Dhabi’s continued attraction of major international investment institutions, an indicator that reflects growing confidence in the business environment in the emirate.

This year witnessed the opening and announcement of a number of international companies establishing offices in Abu Dhabi, including Bain Capital, Blue All Capital and Hillhouse Investment, in a step that confirms the emirate’s growing position as a global center for asset management and alternative investments and a major platform for global financial institutions to move towards the region’s markets.

This growing presence of international companies reinforces the indicators of the growth of economic licenses, and confirms that the demand for Abu Dhabi is no longer limited to the establishment of new companies, but rather extends to the transfer of international financial and investment institutions to take the emirate as the headquarters of their operations, in a way that supports the goals of economic diversification and enhances Abu Dhabi’s position on the global investment map.

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