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Gulf Today Report

The cumulative balance of foreign direct investments to the country at the end of the year 2020 rose to Dhs554.1 billion ($151 billion), according to the report "The UAE Figures Documenting the March," issued by the Federal Center for Competitiveness and Statistics.

"The UAE has become one of the most preferred investment destinations around the world, and one of the most exporting destinations for foreign investment as well," the report said, adding that the UAE was able to occupy a prominent position on the regional and global investment map after preparing its infrastructure and legislation to provide a flexible, open and attractive investment environment and capital to all sectors.

He pointed out that, according to the estimates of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), in 2020, the UAE ranked 15th globally in foreign direct investment flows, and the UAE was ranked the most attractive country for investments in West Asia and the Middle East and North Africa.

On the side of Emirati direct investments abroad, the data reflected a significant development in the volume of these investments, which enabled the country to join the list of the 20 most important countries investing abroad during 2019, according to the UNCTAD report.

The report, "The UAE Figures Documenting the March," stated that the value of direct investments issued by the state in the year 2005 amounted to about Dhs13.77 billion, and in 2010 about Dhs7.40 billion, and in 2015 about Dhs61.30 billion, while the value of foreign direct investments issued by the state in the year 2019 is about Dhs77.9 billion.