The Economic Integration Committee convened for its second meeting of 2026, presided over by Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy and Tourism, and attended by the directors of economic departments from the seven Emirates.
During the meeting, the committee explored ways to enhance cooperation and coordination between federal and local entities to boost the competitiveness of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, aiming for higher levels of advancement and prosperity, as well as growth in the silver economy of the nation. This initiative is geared towards reinforcing the country’s status as a leading global hub for business and investment. The committee also reviewed outcomes and recommendations from its previous meeting, focusing on efforts to enhance the legislative framework in accordance with global best practices.
In this regard, Minister Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri emphasized that the UAE has made significant progress in creating an advanced economic legislative structure, thanks to the guidance of its wise leadership. This comprehensive approach prioritizes empowering the private sector, stimulating innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as fostering partnerships between federal and local entities, which has contributed to the growth of the national economy.
He stated during the meeting: “The Economic Integration Committee has played a vital role in solidifying the UAE’s position in global competitiveness rankings through the development of flexible and competitive policies and legislations. The country has ranked third in the world for ease of doing business and future economic growth opportunities, and seventh globally in economic strength and stability, according to the Soft Power Index for 2026, which reflects the robustness and attractiveness of the UAE’s business environment for investment from around the world.”
The Minister also highlighted the importance of leveraging the outcomes of the 2026 World Government Summit, which has contributed to the expansion of national companies’ foundations through global partnerships focused on investments in modern technologies, artificial intelligence, and innovation. These sectors are crucial for leading the national economy towards sustainable growth. Another key point was the organization of the “Future Economy Forum,” which serves as an important platform for discussing growth opportunities in the global economy amidst regional and international economic and geopolitical transformations, underscoring the significance of economic diversity in enhancing economic and investment relations between nations.
Contribution of Small and Medium Enterprises
Specifically, the committee reviewed national efforts to boost the contribution of entrepreneurship and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the national economy. It also discussed opportunities for collaboration between federal and local authorities to create a supportive legislative environment for the growth of startups and their expansion into international markets, solidifying the UAE’s position as a leading destination for entrepreneurship and startups on both regional and global scales.
Economic Legislation Team
The committee approved a proposal from the Ministry of Economy and Tourism to establish a permanent legal team within the committee. This team will operate as an economic legislation task force at the level of economic development departments, incorporating legal representatives from the ministry and local economic development authorities along with other legislative entities. The goal is to support national efforts in developing a flexible and proactive economic legislative framework aligned with global best practices, enhancing legal coordination and standardizing operational methodologies among concerned parties, while also reducing the time required for aligning new economic legislations and policies.
The committee noted that this economic legislation team will provide a unified platform for stakeholders to discuss legislation continuously, through regular meetings and collaborative drafting, to monitor progress, address differences, and reach consensus decisions. This will facilitate the swift enactment of legislation by expediting the implementation of agreed-upon outcomes and shortening the approval cycle. Additionally, the economic legislation team will periodically submit its outputs and recommendations to the committee for adoption and follow-up on their implementation.
Supporting the Growth of the Silver Economy
The committee reviewed opportunities for the growth of the silver economy in the UAE, which represents a future economic pathway that aligns with global demographic shifts. This opens new investment avenues in promising sectors including healthcare and well-being, financial services and pensions, senior-friendly housing, accessible tourism, smart mobility, and related services. Supporting pathways also encompass job creation, productivity, investment and financing, as well as awareness and empowerment.
The committee affirmed that the focus on the silver economy aligns with the objectives of the “Family Year 2026,” positioning it as an economic and social avenue that enhances quality of life and fosters the development of a more inclusive and sustainable economy characterized by integrated services, which in turn stimulates investment and innovation in health care solutions and attracts high-quality projects.
Updates on the Integration of “Nomo” with Government Entities and Licensing Authorities
The meeting also included discussions on the latest developments regarding the integration of the National Economic Registry “Nomo” with government entities and licensing authorities across the country, reviewing the achievements made since its launch. The National Economic Registry plays a crucial role in developing a unified national system for companies and commercial licenses within the country, enhancing the quality and accuracy of information exchange between governmental bodies with high efficiency and reliability.