Saudi Arabia recorded a 220% increase in new mining exploitation licences in 2025, underscoring accelerating momentum in the Kingdom’s push to develop the sector as a core pillar of economic diversification.

Qatar has begun implementing a 15% minimum effective tax rate on large multinational enterprises under the OECD’s Pillar Two framework.

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) recorded a landmark year in 2025, adding a record 1,924 new companies and lifting the total number of active firms to 8,844.

The United Arab Emirates ranked second globally for announced greenfield foreign direct investment projects in 2025.

Qatar will introduce a 10-year residency programme aimed at entrepreneurs and senior executives, as part of broader efforts to attract global talent and investment.

Abu Dhabi has unveiled a major restructuring of its sovereign investment landscape with the merger of Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ) into the newly established L’IMAD Holding Company.

The head of the International Monetary Fund has praised the UAE’s economic diversification, highlighting the strength of its non-oil economy and growing leadership in artificial intelligence.

Trade leaders in the UAE are among the most confident globally heading into 2026, with a majority expecting trade growth to remain resilient despite global uncertainty.

Emirates NBD reported a record profit before tax of AED 29.8 billion for the full year of 2025, a 10% increase on the previous year.

The UAE is taking part in the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, from 19 to 23 January 2026. The country has sent a high-level delegation of more than 100 ministers, senior officials and private-sector leaders, underscoring its continued engagement with the global forum. The World Economic Forum provides a