The UAE Cabinet has approved our National Investment Strategy 2031, which is to increase annual foreign investment inflows from AED 112 billion ($30 billion) in 2023 to AED 240 billion ($65 billion) by 2031 and grow the UAE’s total foreign investment stock from AED 800 billion ($218 billion) to AED2.2 trillion ($600 billion) over the coming years.
The Cabinet meeting, held at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, was chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai.
The UAE Cabinet meeting also reviewed the National Digital Economy Strategy, which aims to increase the digital economy’s contribution to GDP from 9.7 percent to 19.4 percent. It aims to strengthen the UAE’s position in the global digital economy through ambitious national initiatives and projects over the next six years.
In healthcare, the Cabinet approved a new National Policy for Combating Health Risks, designed to establish national response scenarios, enhance preparedness, and develop recovery and control plans for health crises and emergencies.
The Executive Regulations for Organ and Human Tissue Donation and Transplantation was also approved. This will ensure better access to life-saving treatments for individuals suffering from conditions that can only be addressed through organ transplants. The UAE now has more than 13 licensed transplant centers, with a 30 percent increase in transplant procedures. Kidney, liver, heart, lung, and pancreas transplants are now being performed in the UAE.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed also declared that, “We also approved the restructuring of the Emirates Research and Development Council, chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, to define national research priorities, develop policies and programs, and enhance collaboration between government entities, the private sector, and academia. The UAE remains committed to expanding its leadership in research and development.”
Also approved was a series of new decisions aimed at enhancing the social support and empowerment system. The annual budget for social support programs has increased by 29 percent, reaching nearly AED3.5 billion, while the number of beneficiaries has risen by 37 percent, expanding support to a wider segment of society. Additionally, 3,200 beneficiaries have been successfully integrated into the workforce, transforming from recipients of financial aid into active contributors to the nation’s progress.”
In government affairs, the Remote Work System from Outside the Country in the Federal Government was approved, enabling the UAE to tap into global expertise and specialized talent to execute projects and studies for federal entities.
The Cabinet also approved 28 international agreements, including economic partnership agreements with Malaysia, New Zealand, and Kenya, as well as security, logistics, and government cooperation agreements with several nations.
The UAE Cabinet approved the National Investment Strategy 2031, which focuses on transforming the UAE into a leading global strategic investment hub, strengthening its position as a key center for attracting FDI and supporting national economic growth, as it included the identification of the most important 5 priority sectors based on the contribution of new FDI inflows: industry, financial services, transport and logistics, renewable energy and water, telecom and IT.
The strategy includes 12 new programs within the strategic directions, in addition to 30 initiatives under these programs, most notably: the Financial Sector Development Program, the One-Market Program, the Institutional Innovation Attraction Program, the Partner Countries Gateway Program, “InvestUAE,” the Investment Offices and Promotion Incubator.
The Cabinet also approved the launch of the National Green Certificates Program for buildings. It is a classification system, non-compulsory in its first stage of implementation, aimed at assessing and certifying sustainable buildings according to the highest environmental standards, targeting commercial buildings, hotels and hospitality facilities, industrial establishments, government buildings, and houses, communities and compounds.
The National Policy for Combating Health Risks in the UAE was also approved, which aims to enhance the healthcare sector readiness in the UAE, provide the best response in cases of emergency, and to ensure health security by addressing health risks and their impact on public health.
The Cabinet also approved a decision to restructure the Emirates Research and Development Council under the chairmanship of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Mandates of the Council include defining the R&D priorities across the country, launching, approving, and overseeing research and development initiatives funded by the federal government, reviewing studies, projects, and proposals related to research and development to assess and review detailed data to ensure alignment with national objectives, and submit reports about them to the Cabinet.
The Cabinet approved a decision to establish the Pharmaceutical Policies Committee, chaired by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the Chairman of the Emirates Drug Establishment, with members representing several entities and organizations from the health sector.
The Cabinet also approved a decision to restructure the Postal Sector Regulatory Committee under the chairmanship of Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri.
The Cabinet, during its meeting, approved a decision to issue a Federal Law on the Protection of New Plant Varieties, a decision to issue the Executive Regulations of the Federal Decree-Law on Combating Commercial Fraud, the Executive Regulations of the Federal Law on the Practice of Certain Healthcare Professions by Non-Physicians and Pharmacists, the Executive Regulations of the Federal Law on Mental Health, among others.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved a decision on the Inflation Allowance, defining the eligible categories, which include beneficiaries of the Social Support and Empowerment Program, recipients of local social assistance programs, and other qualifying groups as stipulated in the decision.
