The Economic Integration Committee held its third meeting for the year 2026, chaired by His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, along with the presence of esteemed directors from various economic departments.
At the outset of the meeting, the committee emphasized the significance of fostering collaboration, solidarity, and effective coordination among local economic development entities and relevant federal and local organizations. This approach aims to enhance the growth of the national economy, support its diversification and sustainability, boost the competitiveness of the UAE’s business and investment environment, and propel it towards higher levels of progress and prosperity. Such efforts will broaden economic and developmental opportunities for the UAE’s business community and strengthen the country’s position as a leading global hub for business and investment both regionally and internationally.
The committee also discussed the latest developments in the UAE’s business and investment landscape amid current conditions, praising the substantial trust that entrepreneurs and investors have in the country’s investment climate, as well as their notable contributions to social responsibility. This is particularly evident through their effective initiatives aimed at enhancing the resilience and continuity of supply chains and ensuring the availability of consumer needs.
Additionally, the committee highlighted the outcomes and recommendations from its previous meeting, including the operational mechanisms of the Economic Legislation Team established recently, which consists of legal representatives from the ministry and local economic development departments. This team will ensure the ongoing development of legislation and improvement of the business environment.
His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri stated that the UAE has successfully built an advanced and flexible economic model capable of addressing regional and international crises efficiently, thanks to the guidance of its wise leadership. He noted that this model embodies a comprehensive system of integrated strategies, policies, and competitive legislation that have contributed to diversifying the national economy, reducing dependence on oil, maximizing the utilization of national resources, and creating a stimulating business environment that attracts growth, reinforcing the UAE’s status as a leading global investment and business center.
He further added that economic development departments have played a significant role in enhancing oversight and supervision of the country’s markets, safeguarding consumer rights, and raising the level of transparency in business operations since the onset of the crisis. Their efforts have also bolstered the country’s readiness to efficiently respond to new developments and current conditions, reflecting a unified national effort to overcome existing economic challenges.
He highlighted that this meeting serves as a vital opportunity to strengthen dialogue and teamwork in developing flexible and competitive economic policies and legislation, which contributes to advancing the business environment in the country, sharing best practices and innovative ideas, and launching new national initiatives that support the national economy and enhance its capacity for sustainable growth while efficiently adapting to any regional and global economic changes.
The committee explored mechanisms to enhance the connection between the National Economic Registry “Nemo” and relevant government authorities, ensuring periodic and accurate updates of information and facilitating the efficient and reliable exchange of data among government entities. This will improve the monitoring of registered companies and contribute to the development of economic policies and support the business environment in the country, particularly as the number of operational companies reached over 1.4 million by the end of last year.
Lastly, the committee reviewed the national efforts underway in preparation for the mutual evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in 2026, focusing on monitoring the implementation of national policies and measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. This includes the steps taken to identify the ultimate beneficiaries of companies and institutions, as well as discussing the ongoing preparations at all levels and coordination among relevant government entities.