Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presdential Court, with Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs. Dubai Media Office
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presdential Court, with Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs. Dubai Media Office
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presdential Court, with Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs. Dubai Media Office
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presdential Court, with Mohammad Al Gergawi, Mini

Sheikh Mohammed reveals UAE's 10 economic principles for the coming decade


  • English
  • Arabic

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said the government has approved 10 economic principles that will guide the country in the coming decade.

On the second day of the two days of government meetings in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed said there was a focus on the economic agenda to improve growth.

Ten economic principles were approved at the meetings that Sheikh Mohammed said would guide the country over the next 10 years to achieve its economic targets.

The principles include having an open economy without boundaries, attracting the best talent, investing in the digital economy, providing diverse opportunities for young people, building a sustainable and balanced economy, protecting state financial systems and having the world's best logistics system.

“Today, we concluded the annual meetings of the UAE government, during which we decided to focus significantly in the coming period on the economic agenda with the aim of enhancing the country's developmental momentum, reinforcing and solidifying it, and reaching new levels of growth,” Sheikh Mohammed said on X.

“The UAE government today approved the economic principles for the state over the next 10 years to serve as the general framework in which we will concentrate on achieving our economic targets.”

Sheikh Mohammed said today's meeting focused on enhancing the country's developmental momentum, reinforcing and solidifying it, and reaching new levels of growth. Dubai Media Office
Sheikh Mohammed said today's meeting focused on enhancing the country's developmental momentum, reinforcing and solidifying it, and reaching new levels of growth. Dubai Media Office

More than 500 dignitaries, including heads of UAE executive boards, ministers and senior officials in the federal and local governments, gathered in Abu Dhabi for talks at federal and local levels to discuss and review strategies and initiatives.

“We want to see the UAE at the forefront of the global economies, with a strong digital infrastructure, secure systems, flexible legislative framework, and a renewable futuristic mindset,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

“We urge everyone to work according to these principles, commit to them and use them as a guide in all policies, legislations, and new economic initiatives.”

Key economic principles

Sheikh Mohammed's post on social media was accompanied by two pages that outlined the 10 principles in detail under the heading: UAE Economic Principles Document.

The introduction says the document was derived from the 50 principles of the UAE, which say it is “a unified economic and investment destination, with a focus on building the world's best and most active economy in the coming period, the Economic Principles Document for the UAE is born”.

The document outlines a plan that defines the features and pillars of the next stage of the country's economy.

“We aspire to see the UAE as a global economic powerhouse with a digital infrastructure, secure systems, flexible laws, and a futuristic mindset – appealing to creative minds,” the document says.

“We aim for the UAE to be a world within a country and an influential player in the global economy.”

The first principle: An economy open to the world without boundaries

The UAE is an exemplary free-market economy, open to the world without limitations. It welcomes international and regional economic and trade exchange without restrictions, building economic bridges with everyone.

It provides a global economic environment with attractive advantages and competitive incentives, ensuring the diverse flow of investments to and from the country.

Additionally, it explores new economic destinations to increase the country's exports, diversify import sources, and establish extensive trade and economic partnerships. This solidifies the UAE's position at the core of the global free-market economy.

Sheikh Mohammed said they want to see the UAE at the forefront of the global economies, with a strong digital infrastructure. Dubai Media Office.
Sheikh Mohammed said they want to see the UAE at the forefront of the global economies, with a strong digital infrastructure. Dubai Media Office.

The second principle: Attracting the best economic talent

The UAE is an economic environment where local and global minds and innovations converge. It possesses attractive factors for skilled individuals, innovators, and creative minds in vital economic fields.

It fosters a conducive climate for transforming creative ideas into innovative applications and solutions. The UAE also retains top global talents through diverse incentive programmes that facilitate easy transition, living, and working in the country. This is made possible by offering world-class quality of life and services for skilled individuals and their families.

The third principle: Investing in the digital economy

The UAE is a hub for the global digital economy, serving as an international platform for digital transactions and an attractive investment environment for technology companies, big data institutions, and future technologies.

This is achieved through continuous development and updating of the country's digital infrastructure and related regulations. The field is open for the application of artificial intelligence revolution technologies, with unlimited investment in a competitive digital Emirati economy that shapes the future.

The fourth principle: Providing diverse opportunities for youth

Placing young national talent at the core of the Emirati economic model, the UAE aims to actively involve them in various economic sectors.

This is achieved through the development of programmes that equip them with essential skills and knowledge meeting the demands of the job market. It enhances their competitiveness in a globally open economic environment.

Additionally, it encourages both public and private sector institutions to create diverse employment paths and professional development opportunities for the youth.

Fifth Principle: Building a sustainable and balanced economy while preserving resources for future generations

Our focus is on ensuring the sustainability of the UAE's economy through advanced legislation and policies that guarantee the sustainability of resources and environmentally-friendly energy sources.

Focus should also be on government plans and strategies that are designed to preserve our natural resources for future generations, reflecting our commitment to building a lasting and balanced economy that leaves a legacy of environmental responsibility and the conservation of wealth for our future.

UAE annual government meetings 2023 – in pictures

  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said the first priority would be a continued focus on economic growth and development, with 'streamlined procedures, improved services and a fresh set of incentives'. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said the first priority would be a continued focus on economic growth and development, with 'streamlined procedures, improved services and a fresh set of incentives'. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • The second priority will be youths, whom Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said will be given support for their initiatives and improved job opportunities. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    The second priority will be youths, whom Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said will be given support for their initiatives and improved job opportunities. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • The third priority involves having projects that embrace sustainability, conserve resources and safeguard the environment. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    The third priority involves having projects that embrace sustainability, conserve resources and safeguard the environment. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, attends the UAE government annual meetings. Photo: Dubai Media Office
    Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, attends the UAE government annual meetings. Photo: Dubai Media Office
  • Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, meets Executive Council secretaries during the UAE government annual meetings. Photo: UAE Presidential Court
    Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, meets Executive Council secretaries during the UAE government annual meetings. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

The sixth principle: Protecting the stability of state financial systems

Our goal is to ensure the stability of all state financial systems, ensuring their sustained development, strength, and adherence to high global standards of efficiency and security.

This enhances the trust of local, regional, and global investors.

We achieve this through continuous improvement and updating, in collaboration with international financial institutions, to ensure efficient management of current and future risks. Additionally, we work towards attracting more banks and financial institutions to reinforce these systems.

The seventh principle: Continuous development of economic legislation

We strive for ongoing enhancement and development of economic legislation to ensure a robust investment environment supported by flexible laws and policies.

This aims to consistently position it as a secure and attractive destination for establishing, developing, and stabilising businesses in the region and globally. Its laws represent updatable legislative frameworks that keep pace with current and future global changes, fostering a business-friendly climate and the attractiveness of markets and various sectors in the country for investments.

The eighth principle: Transparency, credibility, and rule of law

We commit to transparency, the principle of the rule of law, and high standards of economic transparency. This involves ensuring access to information from reliable sources and providing accurate data related to the performance of various sectors in the country. This enhances the confidence of investors, business owners, as well as international economic and financial entities, increasing opportunities for investment inflow into the country and driving economic growth indicators upwards year after year.

The ninth principle: The best banking system to boost economic growth momentum

Our banking system is robust and advanced, adhering to the highest global standards. It prioritises the protection of personal savings and financial transactions for clients, whether individuals or institutions. We collaborate with international specialised organisations to implement best practices in the field of banking data protection. This contributes to attracting capital inflows, supporting global confidence in the UAE economy and the banking sector, and positively impacting the economic stability climate.

The 10th principle: The best logistic infrastructure in the world

We persist in developing the world's best logistic infrastructure, including ports, airports, airlines, and navigational routes.

This solidifies the UAE's position as a key hub for global cargo and human movement, connected to prominent international destinations. We provide high-level services in the transportation, travel, and logistics sectors, enhancing global trade and establishing the UAE as a crucial link between the East and West and the North and South.

MATCH INFO

Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD

* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Updated: November 08, 2023, 2:01 PM