Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi chaired a meeting with the UAE International Investors Council board during which the Ministry of Foreign Trade unveiled a range of strategic initiatives designed to bolster the nation’s long-term economic framework. The discussions placed particular emphasis on integrating direct feedback from investors to refine ongoing policies and identify new growth avenues. This collaborative format reflects the government’s strategy of engaging private sector voices in national planning processes that have driven record non-oil expansion in recent years.
The UAE International Investors Council coordinates efforts to support and protect Emirati investors operating beyond national borders while maintaining close liaison with official bodies, according to its founding mandate. Council members drew on their extensive international experience to highlight both opportunities and obstacles in current global trade conditions. Their contributions are expected to help tailor future measures more closely to real-world investment realities.
Figures from the Ministry of Economy show the UAE’s goods and services trade in non-oil sectors attained Dh6.014 trillion in 2025, building on consistent yearly gains that have reshaped the economic landscape. Non-oil GDP rose 5.3 per cent in the opening quarter of that year, accounting for 77.3 per cent of total output, the highest proportion recorded. Key sectors including manufacturing, which grew 7.7 per cent, and finance and insurance, up 7.0 per cent, powered this advance.
Such performance aligns with targets as outlined in the We the UAE 2031 vision, which sets clear benchmarks for scaling the economy to AED 3 trillion, lifting foreign trade to AED 4 trillion and expanding non-oil exports to AED 800 billion. The minister sought council input on how best to accelerate progress toward these targets while ensuring policies remain adaptable to shifting international circumstances. The exchange forms one element in a wider pattern of stakeholder consultations that have informed recent economic reforms.
An International Monetary Fund review anticipates 4.8 per cent GDP growth for the UAE in 2025, with non-oil activities continuing to lead expansion at a similar pace. The meeting enabled officials to cross-reference these projections against on-the-ground insights from the investment community. Topics ranged from supply-chain strengthening to fostering innovation in high-value industries.
