The United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to advance the new economy as a core pillar of sustainable economic growth.
The new economy, including sectors like artificial intelligence, financial technology, the green economy, new media, autonomous mobility and advanced industries, reflects the UAE’s national vision to build a resilient and diversified economy led by innovation and supported by national talent, one that attracts high-quality investments.
This is underpinned by a package of government policies and initiatives, flexible legislation and advanced infrastructure, reinforcing the country’s position as a global hub for business and innovation.
UAE accelerates transition to new economy
Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, said the UAE is entering a new phase, transitioning from a knowledge- and innovation-based economy to a new economy model.
Al Marri highlighted the role of the ministry’s initiatives, partnerships and projects in enabling and advancing new economy sectors in an interview with Emirates News Agency (WAM). These efforts have contributed to increasing the number of companies and commercial licences operating in new economy sectors to 56,000 by the end of the first half of 2025.
Al Marri added that cooperation with public and private sector partners has focused on developing proactive legislation and policies in this area. Ten key policies and laws have been issued or updated, notably the Law on Trading by Modern Technological Means, the Law on the Regulation and Protection of Industrial Property Rights, the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Law, and the Commercial Transactions Law.
Al Marri informed that work is currently under way with partners to develop the food economic cluster, which integrates agricultural production, food industries and modern agricultural technologies.
“The cluster aims to increase the contribution of the food sector and its related activities to national GDP, while enhancing competitiveness and empowerment for private sector companies operating in this vital sector, which continues to record strong growth,” said Al Marri, adding that the number of registered and operating trademarks in this field reached 40,486 by the end of the first half of 2025.
Al Marri also pointed to ongoing work by the UAE Circular Economy Council on the second package of policies to accelerate the country’s transition towards a circular economy model. These policies focus on developing a national roadmap for green infrastructure and promoting circular water management in industries.
A total of 22 circular economy policies have been approved and implemented across several fields, including measures to improve waste management and enhance recycling nationwide. These range from applying extended producer responsibility and developing source-based waste separation systems in residential, commercial and institutional sectors, to establishing a national database for materials and waste and preventing plastic and recyclable material leakage.
The council’s policies also include reducing food loss and waste, enhancing sustainable management of agricultural resources, expanding the use of recycled content in consumer goods, regulating the life cycle of tyres and biodiesel, developing electric vehicle infrastructure and unifying charging systems, supporting sustainable aviation fuel, and improving the regulation of operating leases and waste oil management.
