The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry has reported a 4.9% increase in its membership during the first half of this year compared to the same period last year, surpassing 158,000 members. This growth highlights the strength and resilience of the business environment in the emirate, despite global economic challenges.
This data underscores the chamber’s role in fostering growth in the private sector, supporting sustainable development, and enabling businesses of all sizes by guiding them toward emerging opportunities in priority sectors.
Sector Growth
According to the chamber’s statistics, significant growth has been observed in strategic sectors, with agriculture, forestry, and fishing leading at a growth rate of 21%. This is followed by the arts and entertainment sector, which grew by 13%, and the information and communication technology as well as professional, scientific, and technical activities sectors, each growing by 10%. This indicates an increasing demand for creative, technological, and specialized services in the emirate.
Strategic Transformation
The rise in chamber memberships signifies a strategic transition toward future-oriented sectors. The water supply and waste management sector recorded a growth of 9%, driven by heightened environmental awareness and a focus on circular economy principles. Additionally, real estate and administrative services both experienced an 8% growth due to activity in the property market and increased demand for business support services.
Meanwhile, membership in the education sector grew by 7%, reflecting the expansion of private educational institutions, while transportation and storage saw a 6% increase due to the growth of supply chains and logistics activities. The mining and quarrying sector noted a 5% increase, followed by wholesale and retail trade, which grew by 4%, indicating a stable performance in consumer markets.
The construction, manufacturing, and financial services sectors each enjoyed a steady growth of 3%. Conversely, the accommodation and food services sector experienced a 2% increase, influenced by seasonal factors and changes in consumption patterns.
Enhancing Diversity
Shams Ali Al Dhaheri, the second vice-chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, commented on these results: “These indicators clearly demonstrate the role of the private sector in the emirate. The substantial increase in membership within sectors like agriculture, modern technologies, and the arts reflects the extensive impact of the emirate’s ambitious economic growth agenda. The Abu Dhabi Chamber plays a critical role in sustaining this momentum by fostering innovation, enabling impactful partnerships, and optimizing the benefits from economic opportunities.”
Al Dhaheri added, “We at the Abu Dhabi Chamber operate with a clear roadmap focused on proactively addressing challenges and propelling growth in high-value sectors. This is achieved by providing smart services, encouraging impactful partnerships, and establishing knowledge platforms that allow entrepreneurs to expand confidently and sustainably.”
Traditional Sectors
The results illustrate the depth of diversity in the emirate’s economic base and indicate the rise of new sectors linked to knowledge, innovation, and sustainability, alongside the continued contribution of traditional sectors. The Abu Dhabi Chamber remains committed to enhancing this balance by accelerating growth in emerging areas and enabling the private sector to keep pace with global economic changes through advanced service structures and strategic partnerships that align with future aspirations.