The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has unveiled details of its nationwide campaign, “The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World”, launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The initiative aims to reinforce the UAE’s position as a premier global hub for entrepreneurship.
The campaign is managed by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism in cooperation with the UAE Government Media Office, the UAE Council for Entrepreneurship, and more than 50 government bodies, private organizations, business incubators, accelerators, and academic institutions.
During a press conference, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, emphasized that the campaign reflects the UAE’s comprehensive vision to create a globally competitive economy rooted in innovation, youth empowerment, and entrepreneurship. He highlighted that this initiative is underpinned by government policies, proactive programmes, and solid economic indicators that position the UAE as an attractive destination for investors, talent, and startups.
Al Marri underlined that the UAE has ranked first in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2024–2025 for the fourth consecutive year. The country also topped 11 out of 13 indicators among high-income nations and was named the leading destination for entrepreneurship and SMEs among 56 global economies.
Under the “Projects of the 50” initiative, the UAE has allocated AED 8.7 billion to foster innovation and support SMEs. Currently, SMEs account for 95% of active businesses and contribute 63.5% of non-oil GDP. The country also hosts more than 50 incubators and accelerators, while five of the seven Arab startups recently reaching “unicorn” status were launched in the UAE.
The UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem combines innovation, technology, and sustainability with a supportive legislative and regulatory framework that enables businesses to launch within days through smart digital services. Additional incentives include 100% foreign ownership across most sectors, advanced infrastructure, ports, airports, and an extensive transport network.
Key initiatives under the campaign include:
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Launch of the StartupEmirates.ae platform to attract 10,000 entrepreneurs and create 30,000 jobs within five years.
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Training 10,000 Emiratis through the Entrepreneurship Programme.
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Licensing 500 Emiratis to manage residential construction projects via the Project Management Experts Programme.
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Supporting 250 Emiratis in establishing real estate companies.
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Certifying 500 Emirati tax agents through a three-year programme.
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Hosting exhibitions to raise awareness of entrepreneurship in schools and universities, and showcasing graduate business projects.
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Increasing access for startups to federal procurement opportunities under the Ministry of Finance.
The UAE Council for Entrepreneurship also convened to discuss strategies for strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting SMEs, and empowering Emiratis to establish globally competitive businesses. Participants stressed the importance of coordination between government entities, financial institutions, and academic partners to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs through funding, training, and policy support.
The meeting gathered high-level representatives from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the Central Bank of the UAE, the Federal Tax Authority, Emirates Development Bank, Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, Dubai SME, and various emirate-level economic development departments.
With this campaign, the UAE reaffirms its commitment to becoming the leading global hub for entrepreneurs, startups, and innovators, while expanding opportunities for Emirati youth and strengthening its non-oil economy.
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