IMF raises forecast for UAE's GDP to 4.8 per cent in 2025, 5 per cent in 2026

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its forecast for the UAE’s real GDP to 4.8% for the current year, compared to its previous projection released in April.

The Fund also projected in its World Economic Outlook issued on Tuesday that the UAE’s economy will grow by 5% in 2026, which is the same forecast it had announced in April.

An earlier report says the Ministry of Finance (MoF), in cooperation with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates (CBUAE) and the UAE Embassy in Washington, is organising the UAE Banks Reception on the sidelines of the UAE’s participation in the 2025 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, which will be held in Washington, D.C., till 18 October.

The event, taking place on 16 October, aims to strengthen strategic relations between national banks and their regional and international counterparts, in addition to building effective networks with investors from around the world. It also seeks to create direct communication opportunities among financial and banking institutions, investment companies, and relevant entities, contributing to showcasing the leading role of the UAE’s financial sector globally, opening new horizons for cooperation and knowledge exchange, and exploring opportunities for sustainable growth in the national banking sector.

Younis Haji AlKhoori, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, affirmed that the Ministry is keen to enable national banks to build strategic partnerships and expand cooperation with leading international institutions. These efforts, he said, support the UAE’s aspirations for sustainable growth in the financial sector and strengthen the country’s position as a regional and global financial hub within the international banking system.

AlKhoori said, “The UAE Banks Reception represents a key opportunity to enhance the country’s institutional presence within the world’s largest financial gatherings and to highlight the evolution of the UAE’s regulatory environment, which offers distinctive investment and banking opportunities. We look forward to meeting our partners at this important event, which serves as a vital platform for strengthening cooperation and opening new prospects for our financial sector to consolidate its global standing.”

WAM