UAE’s Ministry of Economy and Tourism announces details of ‘The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World’ national campaign
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Dubai’s leaders just unveiled exciting details about “The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World” campaign, a bold push to make the UAE the top spot for entrepreneurs everywhere. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE’s Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, kicked it off to boost the country’s role as a global hub for startups and innovation.
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism leads the effort, teaming up with the UAE Government Media Office, the UAE Council for Entrepreneurship, and more than 50 government agencies, private companies, business incubators, accelerators, and universities. At a lively press conference, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, the Minister of Economy and Tourism, shared how the UAE is doubling down on startup-friendly policies, smart economic moves, and hands-on programs to draw in talent from around the world.
“This campaign captures our leadership’s vision to turn the UAE into the go-to destination for innovators, entrepreneurs, and global talent,” Al Marri said. He called it a key step in building a competitive economy powered by fresh ideas, young leaders, and strong data that puts the UAE ahead of the pack.
The UAE shines in entrepreneurship rankings. For the fourth straight year, it topped the 2024-2025 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report. It led high-income countries in 11 out of 13 key areas and earned the title of best place for startups and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) among 56 economies. Under the Projects of the 50 initiative, the country pledged AED 8.7 billion to fuel innovation and back SMEs. Plus, the UAE hosts over 50 incubators and accelerators to help new businesses thrive.
SMEs drive the UAE economy—they make up 95% of all active companies and account for 63.5% of non-oil GDP as of mid-2022. Out of seven Arab companies that recently hit unicorn status (valued at over $1 billion), five started right here in the UAE. The secret sauce? A mix of cutting-edge tech, sustainability focus, and innovation that creates the perfect launchpad for global entrepreneurs.
Setting up shop in the UAE is a breeze, thanks to quick digital services that let you start a business in days. Full foreign ownership in most sectors, plus top-notch infrastructure like bustling ports, major airports, and smooth roads, make it super appealing. The UAE’s supportive laws and regulations keep things efficient and entrepreneur-friendly.
The campaign rolls out big initiatives to spark growth. A new platform, StartupEmirates.ae, aims to lure 10,000 entrepreneurs and generate 30,000 jobs over the next five years. It also plans to train 10,000 Emiratis through an Entrepreneurship Programme and license 500 of them to lead residential construction projects via the Project Management Experts Programme.
More perks include helping 250 Emiratis launch their own real estate firms, training and licensing 500 Emirati tax agents over three years, and hosting a national exhibition to build early-stage entrepreneurship buzz in schools. Look out for a Graduate Business Projects Exhibition too, plus better access for local startups to snag federal government contracts through the Ministry of Finance.
The UAE Council for Entrepreneurship met under Al Marri’s chair to talk shop on strengthening the startup ecosystem, growing SMEs, and getting citizens excited about starting businesses. They focused on linking federal and local groups with banks to train and empower young people, and pushed for more government backing in procurement deals.
The group reviewed the campaign’s goals: attracting and training entrepreneurs over five years, building better infrastructure, ramping up non-oil GDP contributions, and giving Emirati youth the tools to create world-class projects. They emphasized teaming up public, private, and academic sectors to boost UAE’s economic edge, support SMEs, and groom the next wave of entrepreneurs with training, funding, and smart policies.
Attendees included key figures like Mariam Mohammed Al Amiri from the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Faisal AlAli from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and leaders from banks, development funds, and economic departments across the UAE. This all points to a vibrant future for entrepreneurship in the Emirates.
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