The Ministry of Economy and Tourism has secured three awards at the Goof Media 2025 conference held in Singapore. These accolades were received in the commerce and industry category for three pioneering national initiatives that reflect the strategic direction of the UAE in fostering a new economy, modernizing government operations, and accelerating digital transformation. The ministry was recognized with the Best Digital Initiative award for the “National Economic Registry – Growth” platform; the Government Initiative of the Year award for the “Future100” initiative; and the Management Development Program award for its efforts in enhancing services under the “Zero Bureaucracy Initiative.”
In this context, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism emphasized that the UAE has successfully established a pioneering operational framework across various economic and developmental areas. The attainment of these awards signifies the ministry’s ongoing commitment to supporting innovation, empowering entrepreneurs, enhancing governmental performance, and advancing digital governance, in line with the goals of the “We Are the UAE 2031” vision to achieve the most advanced and leading system globally by the next decade.
National Economic Registry – Growth
Specifically, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism received the Best Digital Initiative award in the commerce and industry category for the “National Economic Registry – Growth”. This national platform provides a unified and reliable database of commercial licenses across the seven Emirates, standardizing the processes and requirements for business establishment and economic activities through a single national portal. This has significantly broadened the economic impact of government initiatives.
The “Growth” platform leverages cutting-edge technologies, including AI applications to analyze vast data and provide accurate and reliable information. It also offers proactive services to a wide range of stakeholders in the business community, including decision-makers, entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders. Users can access data on any commercial license in the UAE across more than 2000 economic activities. The registry includes a unique Economic Registration Number (ERN), serving as a digital reference for the national economy and enhancing the country’s data-driven governance capabilities, thus aiding in developing programs that meet the needs of entrepreneurs and investors while embracing the latest advancements in technology and economic governance, and fostering new developmental opportunities in priority sectors.
Future100 Initiative
The ministry’s recognition with the Government Initiative of the Year award in the commerce and industry category was a testament to the role of the “Future100” initiative in empowering startups and spurring innovation in future economic sectors. This initiative aims to support the growth of 100 startups annually in the future economy sectors, providing them with a comprehensive support system to connect with investors and expand into global markets.
The “Future100” initiative receives over 1100 applications each year, and for 2024, there was a 30% increase in participation from women entrepreneurs and citizens, indicating its effectiveness in promoting diversity and inclusion within the startup ecosystem. The Future 100 list is published annually, featuring rapidly growing startups based in the UAE that contribute to shaping the new economy.
Zero Bureaucracy Initiative
Additionally, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism was awarded the Management Development Program accolade for its efforts to enhance and expedite services and transactions through the “Zero Bureaucracy Initiative.” This initiative successfully streamlined and simplified government procedures across numerous services offered to entrepreneurs and investors, which included redesigning 36 key government services, reducing required documentation by 52%, and cutting transaction processing times by 50% to 70%. Furthermore, the number of fields required on government forms was decreased by 64%, positively impacting the development of new economy sectors while modernizing government work processes, accelerating digital transformation, and enhancing the competitiveness of the business environment in the region and globally.
In November 2023, the UAE government launched the “Zero Bureaucracy Initiative” to simplify and reduce procedures and eliminate unnecessary requirements, in line with leadership directives aimed at establishing a future-oriented experience that facilitates people’s lives and fosters a conducive business environment that attracts talents and minds.
The Goof Media conference is a prestigious international event dedicated to recognizing the best government initiatives and projects in the Asia-Pacific region, aiming to highlight exemplary experiences in government performance enhancement and promote a culture of innovation and excellence in public services.