Abu Dhabi: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, attended the unveiling of the National Investment Strategy 2031 at the UAE Government Annual Meetings 2024 in Abu Dhabi. The event was held in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court. The Annual Meetings, convened on 5th and 6th November, gathered over 500 officials from various sectors across the UAE.
According to Emirates News Agency, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the UAE’s 35 percent increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, reaching AED112.6 billion in 2023, as evidence of the nation’s strategic success. Despite a global decline, this surge reflects the international confidence in the UAE’s investment environment. The National Investment Strategy 2031 is designed to position the UAE as a global strategic investment hub, with an aim to double cumulative FDI inflows to A
ED1.3 trillion by 2031.
The unveiling was attended by a host of dignitaries, including H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and other high-ranking officials from Dubai and other emirates. During the session, a presentation by Mohamed bin Hassan Al Suwaidi, Minister of Investment, outlined the strategy’s goals and initiatives. The strategy aligns with the “We the UAE 2031” vision and focuses on emerging sectors, talent attraction, and fostering leadership and innovation.
Al Suwaidi highlighted the UAE’s impressive FDI growth since 2015, with the strategy aiming to establish the UAE as a global investment hub. It targets key sectors such as advanced manufacturing and renewable energy, with goals to triple the cumulative FDI balance to AED2.2 trillion by 2031. The strategy involves five strategic directions: attracting new investments, expanding existing projects, strengthening partnerships, enhancing investor relations, and boosting competitiveness.
In 2023, the UAE r
anked second globally in new FDI projects, with 1,323 new projects marking a 33 percent increase from 2022. The UNCTAD report noted the UAE’s advancement to 11th globally in FDI attraction. Over the past decade, the UAE’s FDI balance increased by 150 percent, far exceeding global growth rates.
The strategy leverages the UAE’s strengths, including its economic competitiveness, technological leadership, and global trade hub status. It aims to foster a vibrant, investor-driven economy by integrating global trends and prioritising research and development. Al Suwaidi addressed global investment challenges and emphasised enhancing the UAE’s attractiveness and competitiveness.
The session also launched the InvestUAE brand, a unified platform to promote the UAE as a global investment hub. InvestUAE will lead promotional efforts, aiming to strengthen the UAE’s international presence and drive sustainable economic growth and diversification.
