The Minister of Economy explains how the Emirates is balancing global partnerships to secure a future-ready economy.
Global economic alliances are shifting fast. While this volatility and competition may seem like a threat elsewhere, the UAE’s leadership is treating this period of disruption as a massive opportunity.
According to H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy, the country isn’t just sitting back. They’re proactively boosting their economic openness, strategically forging balanced partnerships, and firmly tying the nation’s future to a knowledge-based economy. It’s an intensely pragmatic approach designed to make the national economy resilient, regardless of which way the geopolitical winds blow.
The Core Strategy: Prioritizing the Future Economy
The confidence in the UAE isn’t accidental; it’s the result of successfully pushing for economic diversification. Look at the numbers—non-oil sectors are clearly the driving force now, accounting for the lion’s share of the national GDP.
This means the UAE is making a total transition to a sustainable, knowledge-based economic model. Their focus is laser-sharp: embedding advanced technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI) and new industries, into every major sector. By becoming a magnet for research and development (R&D) and innovative companies, the UAE ensures its place in the world is linked to global innovation, not dependent on commodities.
Maximizing Partnerships
In this environment where global friendships are getting complicated, the UAE’s external economic strategy is simple: keep all doors open. The government is dead set on building bridges of cooperation with every major market, prioritizing trade access over joining exclusive clubs.
So, what does that look like in practice?
It means signing a lot more Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) to knock down trade barriers and expand market reach, while also growing its ties with heavy hitters like BRICS. By keeping its relationships strong and balanced with both the East and the West, the UAE ensures maximum opportunity for its companies and solidifies its reputation as a reliably stable, neutral hub for finance and logistics globally.
The whole point is to make sure the UAE stays an absolutely vital global connector and a top destination for investment. They’re proving that in a changing world, smart economic choices and openness are the best defenses.
