Mohammed bin Rashid Attends Unveiling of National Investment Strategy 2031

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, together with His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, attended the unveiling of the National Investment Strategy 2031 during the UAE Government Annual Meetings 2024 in Abu Dhabi. The event, held on 5 and 6 November, gathered over 500 officials from the UAE government, local entities, the private sector, and community organizations.

In his speech, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid highlighted the UAE’s remarkable economic progress, pointing out that foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows surged by 35%, reaching AED 112.6 billion in 2023, despite a global downturn in investments. He praised the success of the UAE’s strategies and noted that this achievement demonstrated the international trust in the country’s development plans.

Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the National Investment Strategy 2031 builds on these accomplishments and sets clear goals for the future. His vision is to establish the UAE as a global strategic investment hub, with the goal of doubling the country’s cumulative foreign direct investment inflows to AED 1.3 trillion by 2031.

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The launch of the National Investment Strategy 2031 was attended by other notable figures, including His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai; His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman; His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mua’lla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah; and Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, among other ministers and senior officials.

The event featured a detailed presentation by His Excellency Mohamed bin Hassan Al Suwaidi, Minister of Investment, who discussed the key goals and initiatives of the National Investment Strategy 2031. He outlined the UAE’s impressive growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) since 2015, with the country’s share of global FDI increasing 5.5 times, despite global challenges. The strategy is part of the broader “We the UAE 2031” vision, which seeks to position the UAE as a leading global investment hub by fostering emerging sectors, attracting top talent, and nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship.

Under the National Investment Strategy 2031, the UAE plans to target key sectors such as advanced manufacturing and renewable energy, with the goal of doubling cumulative FDI to AED 1.3 trillion (30% of the national investment volume) by 2031. Furthermore, the strategy aims to triple the cumulative FDI balance to AED 2.2 trillion, achieved through five strategic directions: attracting new investments in priority sectors, expanding FDI in existing projects, strengthening international partnerships, improving investor relations, and enhancing the UAE's competitiveness.

In 2023, the UAE ranked second globally after the United States for the number of new FDI projects, with 1,323 new projects—an increase of 33% from 2022. This achievement contributed to a 35% rise in FDI inflows to AED 112.6 billion, which propelled the UAE to rank 11th globally in FDI attraction, according to the UNCTAD report. The country’s cumulative FDI balance also grew significantly over the past decade, outpacing global growth rates, with an increase of 150% from 2013 to 2023, far exceeding the global average growth rate of 97%.

The UAE’s attractiveness for foreign investment is rooted in its economic competitiveness, technological leadership, high-quality infrastructure, and the ability to attract top talent. The National Investment Strategy 2031 aims to capitalize on these strengths by integrating global trends and prioritizing research and development to drive the country’s innovation-driven, private-sector-led economy.

While the UAE’s success in attracting FDI has been notable, His Excellency Al Suwaidi acknowledged the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, shifting investment hubs, and the increasing global competition for attracting investment. He emphasized the importance of continuously enhancing the UAE's competitiveness to unlock its full potential. The goal is to foster long-term, sustainable economic growth and diversification by creating a more attractive environment for investors.

During the session, the UAE also introduced the “InvestUAE” brand, which will serve as a unified platform to promote the country as a global investment destination. The Ministry of Investment will oversee policy and regulation, while InvestUAE will take the lead in promotional activities, including global marketing campaigns, summits, and international events. The platform aims to strengthen the UAE's international presence, forge new partnerships, and drive sustainable growth.

With the National Investment Strategy 2031, the UAE aims to become a central player in the global investment landscape, leveraging its strong fundamentals to attract investments, talent, and innovation, and creating a lasting impact on the global economy.