UAE GDP expands 5.1% in the first nine months of 2025, says Al Marri

The United Arab Emirates’ gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 5.1 per cent year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025, reaching approximately Dhs1.4 trillion, Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri said on Friday.

Growth was driven by a robust non-oil sector, which grew 6.1 per cent during the same period to exceed Dhs1 trillion, according to data from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC).

The minister attributed the performance to the country’s shift toward a diversified, knowledge-based economy and a competitive legislative and business environment, in line with the “We the UAE 2031” vision, which aims to double the country’s GDP to Dhs3 trillion by the next decade.

Data from the centre showed that financial and insurance activities led sectoral growth at 9 per cent, followed by construction at 8.7 per cent, real estate at 7.9 per cent, and manufacturing at 6.9 per cent.

In terms of total contribution to non-oil GDP, wholesale and retail remained the largest component at 16.1 per cent. Manufacturing followed at 13.9 per cent, with financial services and construction contributing 13.5 per cent and 11.9 per cent, respectively.

Hanan Ahli, Managing Director of the FCSC, stated that the results highlight the resilience of the UAE’s economic model amid global shifts. She noted that the integration of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence into national statistical systems has improved policy efficiency and development planning.

Meanwhile,  Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, reaffirmed the UAE’s commitment to advancing meaningful and effective global dialogue on artificial intelligence, in line with the leadership’s vision to harness advanced technologies in the service of societies and sustainable development.

During a session titled “The Global Vision for Artificial Intelligence” as part of the AI Impact Summit hosted in New Delhi, Al Olama highlighted that the UAE’s co-chairing of the upcoming summit alongside Swaziland, as well as its hosting of the following edition, represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen international cooperation, ensure continuity in global AI discussions, and align priorities amid the rapid evolution of emerging technologies.

He emphasised the importance of focusing on practical outcomes and measurable impact when shaping the future of advanced technologies.

The session discussed ways to strengthen the positive global impact of AI, expand its benefits, and build more inclusive and flexible governance frameworks.

Also participating in the session were Paul Bogantes Zamora, Minister of Science, Technology and Telecommunications of the Republic of Costa Rica, and Sriram Krishnan, Senior Policy Advisor at the White House. Participants emphasised the importance of developing a more flexible global governance ecosystem capable of keeping pace with rapid technological advancements and ensuring the inclusion of all countries in shaping the future of AI.

Al Olama underscored the importance of developing more flexible institutional models with the capacity for continuous learning to match the rapid evolution of AI.

He noted that computing power has become a strategic global resource and that expanding access to digital infrastructure and participation in AI governance is essential to achieving optimal economic returns from future technologies. Al Olama highlighted the UAE’s early investments in large-scale data centres, cloud partnerships, and sovereign AI platforms, positioning the country as both a regional and global hub for computing capabilities.

He added that the UAE’s vision focuses on embedding AI within a comprehensive infrastructure that serves various sectors. He emphasised that the real challenge lies not only in misuse but also in non-use, noting that the success of AI is measured by how effectively it is integrated into daily life, government services, education, and healthcare. It also depends on accelerating the adoption of smart solutions in vital sectors, strengthening national talent readiness, and building international partnerships that facilitate knowledge transfer and expertise exchange.

Al Olama further stated that, guided by its leadership’s vision, the UAE places great importance on ensuring that investments in AI translate into transformative developments in government efficiency and service quality.

He reaffirmed the need to develop more agile and continuously learning institutional models that keep pace with AI’s rapid evolution while adopting governance frameworks that promote innovation and ensure the responsible and inclusive use of advanced technologies at the international level.

The session also addressed the role of Global South countries in shaping comprehensive AI standards and infrastructure, the importance of regional cooperation to enable access to computing capabilities and large-scale talent development, as well as challenges related to adoption and the economic and social opportunities offered by AI.

WAM