Photo Credit: WAM
Dubai, UAE — May 2026 — The UAE continues to cement an economic model built on openness, continuity, and adaptability, the country’s Minister of Economy and Tourism said on Friday, asserting that the national economy has demonstrated its ability to maintain competitiveness and stability despite geopolitical pressures and regional turbulence.
Speaking at the Economy Middle East Summit in Abu Dhabi, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri said the UAE did not build its economy for times of prosperity alone, but to perform under any conditions.
In a world defined by fragmentation and uncertainty, the advantage will go to economies that are open, trustworthy, and capable of continuing to operate efficiently, he told summit attendees, according to the Emirates News Agency.
Al Marri acknowledged that the region is going through an exceptional phase, marked by one of the most serious conflicts in decades. In such circumstances, he said, the first test is security, the second is continuity, and the third is trust, all areas where the UAE has held firm.
The minister highlighted strong economic indicators underpinning his remarks. Between 2021 and 2025, the UAE posted average annual GDP growth of around 5 percent, with non-oil growth reaching approximately 6.2Â percent.
Non-oil activities now account for more than 77 percent of GDP, he noted, adding that non-oil foreign trade surpassed AED 3.8 trillion in 2025, while non-oil exports reached AED 813 billion, both record highs.
These figures confirm that economic diversification is no longer merely an ambition — it is visible in the very structure of the national economy, Al Marri said.
Looking ahead, Al Marri said the UAE’s priorities include accelerating growth, driving key economic engines at a faster pace, attracting talent and expertise, and developing supply chains.
He also pointed to the strength of the country’s financial architecture. The UAE’s foreign assets exceed one trillion dollars, he noted, while its sovereign wealth funds manage more than two trillion dollars in assets, a buffer that reinforces the country’s standing as a stable and predictable destination for global investment.
