logo
UAE Cabinet approves six-year National Investment Strategy

UAE Cabinet approves six-year National Investment Strategy

TAG 91.110-03-2025

The UAE cabinet has approved the country's National Investment Strategy for the next six years, aimed at significantly boosting foreign direct investment (FDI).
The plan was unveiled on Monday during a cabinet meeting chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Sheikh Mohammed said the strategy aims to increase annual FDI inflows from AED 112 billion in 2023 to AED 240 billion by 2031.
Additionally, the plan seeks to grow the FDI stock from AED 800 billion to AED 2.2 trillion, with a focus on key sectors such as industry, logistics, finance, renewable energy and IT.
Chaired today's Cabinet meeting at Qasr Al Watan, Abu Dhabi. Approved our National Investment Strategy for the next 6 years, aiming to increase annual FDI inflows from AED 112B in 2023 to AED 240B by 2031, and grow FDI stock from AED 800B to AED 2.2T, focusing on industry,… pic.twitter.com/WVefEiUzeq
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) March 10, 2025
The Cabinet approved a 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, ensuring 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 centres, with a 30 per cent increase in transplant procedures.
The Cabinet also reviewed the UAE's successful strategic partnerships with African nations, which have led to an 87 per cent increase in trade with Sub-Saharan Africa over five years.
Other significant announcements include the launch of the National Green Certificates Programme for sustainable buildings; and the Remote Work System from Outside the Country in the Federal Government, designed to leverage global talent and expertise outside the UAE to execute specialized job tasks and conduct studies relevant to government operations.
The Cabinet approved 28 international agreements, including economic partnerships with Malaysia, New Zealand and Kenya, plus security, logistics and governmental cooperation deals.
The National Digital Economy Strategy was also reviewed as the UAE targets an increase in the digital economy's GDP contribution from 9.7 per cent to 19.4 per cent.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

DXB Slashes Long‑Term Parking Fees Ahead of Busy Summer Season
DXB Slashes Long‑Term Parking Fees Ahead of Busy Summer Season

Arabian Post

time24 minutes ago

  • Arabian Post

DXB Slashes Long‑Term Parking Fees Ahead of Busy Summer Season

Dubai International Airport has introduced sharply reduced long‑stay parking rates across all terminals, aiming to ease travel costs and reduce traffic congestion as passenger volumes surge. From 10 to 30 June, motorists can park for three days at AED 100, a week at AED 200, or up to 14 days at AED 300—a significant reduction from regular tariffs. The move addresses growing demand at DXB, where the airport expects to handle over 250,000 passengers daily throughout June. By promoting cleared official parking over short‑stay drop‑offs, operators anticipate smoother terminal entry and departure flows, improving the overall passenger experience. Under standard parking schemes, a single extra day could cost upwards of AED 75 beyond the first 24 hours. With the new rates, three days now cost AED 100, a seven‑day stay AED 200, and a 14‑day period AED 300, offering substantial savings. ADVERTISEMENT Terminals 1 Car Park B, Terminal 2, and Terminal 3 are included in the offer, enabling travellers using any departure point to benefit. Equally, those collecting arriving passengers may park for the same rates, promoting better use of official car parks instead of prolonged waiting on curbside lanes. Airport officials underline that the discount is part of a wider strategy to prepare for one of DXB's busiest periods. The summer schedule often triggers bottlenecks at terminal entrances, especially during peak departure windows. Freeing up curbside lanes by encouraging long‑stay parking is expected to alleviate those issues. DXB is deploying additional digital navigation tools to support this effort. Its DXB Express Maps service offers real‑time wayfinding via QR codes on flight information displays, enabling passengers to locate car parks, check‑in zones, gates, amenities and lounges with minimal confusion. Earlier implementation of Smart Gates for passengers over 12 aims to expedite passport control, further speeding up terminal throughput. Emirates has also reinforced passenger convenience ahead of high travel volumes. The airline continues to promote home collection, early check‑in, and city check‑in services, allowing smoother movement before arriving at DXB. Non‑Emirates travellers are encouraged to arrive no more than three hours before departure and to leverage online check‑in to cut queuing times. Logistics surrounding baggage are also being tightened. Airport guidance strongly urges passengers to weigh bags in advance, assemble travel documents early, and pack spare batteries and power banks in carry‑on luggage only, to avoid delays and security hold‑ups. The multi‑pronged initiative dovetails with broader transport planning efforts in Dubai. The Roads and Transport Authority has extended Metro services to Terminals 1 and 3, providing an effective alternative to private vehicle access and reducing terminal traffic. DXB's passenger figures are at an all‑time high: 23.4 million travellers passed through the airport in the first quarter of 2025, a 1.5 per cent increase year‑on‑year. January alone recorded 8.5 million passengers—an airport record. India remains the leading source market with around 3 million passengers in Q1, followed by Saudi Arabia, the UK, Pakistan, the USA and Germany. At city level, London handled 935,000 travellers, then Riyadh, Jeddah, Mumbai and New Delhi. This rate adjustment forms part of the airport authority's commitment to delivering a friction‑free journey and balancing infrastructure usage. By incentivising pre‑arrival parking, DXB aims to better manage curbside access, enhance passenger comfort, and ensure optimal usage of its parking facilities during peak travel times. In tandem with parking cuts, elaborate service continuity plans are in place. Assistance for passengers with special needs is bolstered through clearly signposted routes, dedicated assistance lounges—such as in Terminal 2—and staff trained with Sunflower pin‑scannable identification. Passengers are also reminded to allow extra time for journeys to the airport, as local roads may experience congestion peaks during busy hours. Officials emphasise that this temporary parking arrangement is a strategic move that aligns with their overarching mission of enhancing passenger flow and travel ease during Dubai's high‑traffic summer season.

Abdullah bin Zayed, US Secretary of State discuss ties
Abdullah bin Zayed, US Secretary of State discuss ties

Sharjah 24

timean hour ago

  • Sharjah 24

Abdullah bin Zayed, US Secretary of State discuss ties

Rubio welcomed the visit of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and the accompanying delegation. The meeting, held at the US Department of State headquarters, focused on the strategic ties between the two countries and explored ways to advance them in support of their shared interests. The two ministers reviewed avenues of bilateral cooperation across several developmental sectors, particularly in the economic, commercial, scientific, advanced technology and artificial intelligence fields. Discussions also covered the state visit of US President Donald Trump to the UAE in May, with both sides affirming that the visit's outcomes reflected the strength of the UAE-US ties and their joint resolve to deepen cooperation and expand partnership in all fields. Sheikh Abdullah praised the long-standing strategic partnership between the UAE and the United States, underscoring that the US remains a key strategic ally. He expressed the UAE's commitment to work jointly with the US to further strengthen this exceptional relationship in a way that achieves greater prosperity and sustainable development for both nations and their peoples. During the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Marco Rubio also discussed overall regional developments. His Highness Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the UAE's keenness to cooperate with the United States and regional and international partners in promoting peace and stability, and in fostering the values of coexistence and human fraternity in societies. The meeting was attended by Yousef Al Otaiba, UAE Ambassador to the US; Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs; Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs; and Dr. Maha Taysir Barakat, Assistant Minister for Medical Affairs and Life Sciences at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mohammed bin Rashid honours Water Award winners
Mohammed bin Rashid honours Water Award winners

Sharjah 24

timean hour ago

  • Sharjah 24

Mohammed bin Rashid honours Water Award winners

The ceremony, held at Emirates Towers in Dubai, was attended by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai. Overseen by the UAE Water Aid Foundation (Suqia UAE), the Award is organised under the umbrella of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. In its fourth edition, 12 winners from eight countries were recognised, with total prize money of $1 million. The Award features four main categories: Innovative Projects, Innovative Research and Development, Innovative Individual, and Innovative Crisis Solutions. On this occasion, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said that the UAE remains committed to expanding its humanitarian impact and leveraging innovation to improve the quality of life for millions of people around the world. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed said, 'Humanity today faces numerous challenges, and the scarcity of clean water is among the most pressing. We are committed to driving innovation to deliver sustainable solutions that advance the UAE's vision of harnessing technology to serve humanity and extend support to communities suffering from water scarcity.' His Highness added, 'We take pride in the contributions of our institutions in this vital field, and we will continue to support every project, idea or innovation that makes a real difference in people's lives. Our message is humanitarian, our tools are knowledge and innovation, and our goal is to ensure the UAE's support reaches those who need it most, wherever they are.' In his speech during the honouring ceremony, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Suqia UAE, expressed his gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for honouring the winners of the fourth edition of the Award and for His Highness's continued support for humanitarian and development efforts. Al Tayer affirmed that the Award reflects His Highness's vision of fostering practical, forward-thinking solutions that address critical global needs. He noted that it also highlights the UAE's and Dubai's unwavering commitment to contributing to global efforts to combat water scarcity, one of the most pressing challenges facing communities worldwide. According to United Nations reports, 2.2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, he noted. UNICEF also highlights that more than 1,000 children under the age of five die each day from diseases linked to inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene. Many communities around the world continue to face severe shortages of clean water. He added, 'As Suqia UAE marks its 10th anniversary, it has successfully implemented over 1,000 sustainable water projects in collaboration with Emirates Red Crescent and other partners, positively impacting the lives of around 15 million people across 37 countries. These efforts have demonstrated that innovative solutions are key to addressing the global water crisis." The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award—named after an inspirational leader and beacon of hope—serves as a global platform that reinforces the UAE's pioneering role in humanitarian work, grounded in the noble values instilled by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. This legacy, he added, continues under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who said that 'The UAE remains dedicated to supporting hope and inspiring initiatives, serving as a champion of optimism in the Arab world.' Al Tayer added, 'Guided by the vision and directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Award has become a focal point for companies, research centres, institutions, and innovators around the world, given its significant humanitarian and developmental impact. The Award encourages individuals and research institutions to develop innovative, sustainable solutions for the production, desalination, and purification of water using clean energy sources." In its first three editions, the Award recognised a total of 31 winners from 22 countries. The fourth edition attracted applications from 46 countries. Today, the Award honoured 12 winners from eight countries for presenting pioneering innovations that help address the challenge of water scarcity and provide safe drinking water to the most vulnerable communities. The winners of the 'Innovative Projects Award – Large Projects' are Green Waste Solutions Trading DMCC from the UAE, which secured first place for its LANDCO Tech project, which converts organic waste and wastewater into renewable energy, clean drinking water, and bio-fertilisers. The system employs COMBO containers and LANDCO modules powered by solar energy and biogas, integrating AI and blockchain technologies. It has a treatment capacity of 100m³ per day. Second place was awarded to the Sustainability Investment Promotion and Development Joint Stock Company (SIPCO) from Vietnam for its initiative to provide safe drinking water to vulnerable schools and communities. The project uses ceramic impregnated nano-silver pot filters (CSPF) to effectively remove bacteria, viruses, and sediments, benefiting millions globally in a cost-efficient manner. Third place went to Sotrad Water Srl from Belgium for its Pump&Drink® - Hydro1000 solution, a solar-powered system that pumps, treats, stores, and distributes drinking water sustainably. The system is already operational and serves over 200,000 people. Winners of the 'Innovative Projects Award – Small Projects' are the Kumulus SAS from France, which took first place for its 'Kumulus Water – Drinking Water From Air' project. The solar-powered device uses a patented hybrid system to produce around 30 litres of drinking water per day and can be scaled to meet local demand, particularly in schools and rural communities. Jiangsu Fenghai New Energy Seawater Desalination Development Co Ltd, in partnership with Hangzhou Sunup Environmental Technology Co Ltd from China, received second place for their Intelligent Microgrid Seawater Treatment project. Using reverse osmosis and powered by solar or wind energy, the system produces up to 100 tonnes of water daily and supports the residents of ZS Island in China. Third place was awarded to FountAir LTD from Hong Kong for its AIR4WATER project—described as 'The Invisible Solution'. This split VAC-WG system, powered by renewable energy, can provide up to 150 litres of water daily and is being implemented in several countries. Winners of the 'Innovative Research and Development Award – International Institutions' are STEM SAS from France, which took first place for its AQUAHIVE system, an energy-efficient and high-performance membrane distillation technology that uses solar, geothermal, or waste heat energy. The AI-optimised, patented heat exchange process significantly reduces carbon footprint and has a treatment capacity of 0.3m³ per hour. The Energy and Water Company (ENOWA) – NEOM from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia received second place for its innovative project that enables the extraction of valuable minerals—such as salt, lithium, and bromine—while recovering desalinated water from seawater or brackish brine. The solar-powered pilot facility, located at the Duba Desalination Plant, operates at 1,200m³ per day and reduces energy consumption compared to traditional methods. For the 'Innovative Research and Development Award – National Institutions', Khalifa University from the UAE earned first place for its Biomimetic Freshwater Generator for Solar Desalination without Brine Discharge. The system replicates the natural evaporation process of mangrove trees to generate freshwater from seawater while collecting salt as a byproduct, eliminating brine discharge. Using 10 units, the system can produce over five litres of water per day. For the 'Innovative Crisis Solutions Award', first place was awarded to SkyJuice Foundation Inc from Australia for its SkyHydrant Emergency Safe Water Solution. This lightweight, portable ultrafiltration system produces more than 5,000 litres of potable water daily and has been deployed in 74 countries to support communities facing crises and natural disasters. For the 'Innovative Individual Award – Distinguished Research Award', Professor Guihua Yu from the United States received first place for his breakthrough technologies in solar-powered water purification and atmospheric water harvesting. His contributions include solar desalination using energy hydrogels, a solar-powered atmospheric water harvester, and biodegradable nanocellulose-based hydrogel filters. He holds more than 20 patents and leads a research centre at the University of Texas focused on sustainability and water innovation. For the 'Innovative Individual Award – Youth Award', Zhenyuan Xu from China was awarded first place for his Passive Solar Distillation system, which delivers ultra-high efficiency and extreme salt resistance. The system can produce more than 1.5 gallons of fresh water per hour per square metre of solar collection area. Affordable and field-tested, it supports sustainable development goals through education and community engagement.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store