UAE to Enter 2027 with a More Productive Economy, Says Minister at RISE Summit

The UAE will enter 2027 with “a different economy, a more productive economy”, Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri said at the inaugural RISE Summit 2026, identifying recovery, execution and reform as the country’s three economic priorities for the year ahead.

Speaking during a session titled From Resilience to Opportunity in a Realigning World at Dubai World Trade Centre, Al Marri said the UAE was adapting to changing geopolitical conditions, trade routes and investment flows while maintaining its openness to global business.

“We’re not closing one door, we’re opening a second one,” he said, describing the country’s approach to navigating economic uncertainty and pursuing new growth opportunities.

UAE Focuses on Productivity and AI Adoption

Al Marri said the consistency of the UAE’s economic policy message had helped sustain investor confidence through successive challenges, including the pandemic, high interest rates, inflation and geopolitical conflicts.

“The policy narrative is very important. We are open, we invest, and we communicate our narrative very clearly,” he said, adding that the government had maintained a consistent message during periods of crisis and stability.

He also urged businesses to focus on how artificial intelligence is integrated into their operations rather than simply measuring spending on the technology.

With government procurement accounting for almost 25% of the UAE’s gross domestic product, the Minister highlighted the importance of improving productivity through technology and innovation.

“I’m not interested in how much we’re spending on AI. I’m interested in how AI is embedded within systems,” Al Marri said. He pointed to the potential for AI to help factories and businesses become more productive as federal services increasingly adopt agentic AI.

Supply Chains Shift Towards Reliability and Resilience

Al Marri said global economic realignment had changed the priorities shaping supply chains, with businesses increasingly focusing on reliability and resilience alongside cost and speed.

“In the past, everyone was looking at the cheaper and the faster route. Today, we’re looking at redundancy,” he said, highlighting the importance of developing reliable domestic production capabilities.

The Minister pointed to the UAE’s cluster economy model, which connects the complementary strengths of the individual emirates across five clusters, beginning with food and food processing.

Launched a year earlier, the food cluster brought together 80 factories and companies for two hours each day during the recent regional disruption to help ensure supplies continued moving.

He also highlighted the importance of agri-tech and local production, alongside government efforts to maintain what he described as “honest pricing”.

Al Marri said the objective was not simply to lower prices, but to ensure that prices remained fair and stable while allowing traders to continue supplying essential commodities.

Mohamed Alabbar Says UAE Real Estate Remains Globally Competitive

Emaar Properties Founder and Managing Director Mohamed Alabbar echoed the Minister’s assessment of the UAE’s resilience, saying crises can provide lessons that strengthen leaders and institutions.

“Through catastrophes, people become better. Leaders become better,” Alabbar said, referring to the 2008 financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and current disruptions.

Assessing the UAE’s response to successive challenges, he said the country’s track record demonstrated its ability to navigate difficult periods.

Alabbar also argued that property prices in Dubai and the wider UAE remained competitive compared with major international cities, including Chicago, Singapore, London and Mumbai.

“When you look at the prices per square metre in Dubai and the UAE and compare them globally, with Chicago, Singapore, London, or Mumbai, our prices in the UAE are such a good deal,” he said.

His comments highlighted the UAE’s continued appeal to property investors seeking opportunities in an international real estate market.

Emaar Plans $17 Billion Investment in Syria

Alabbar also discussed Emaar’s international expansion, particularly its plans for Syria, where he expects to deploy approximately $17 billion.

He said the investment decision was based on commercial considerations but stressed that successful international expansion must also contribute to wider economic development.

Alabbar highlighted the potential for investment to create jobs, support new businesses and generate tax revenue for governments, while emphasising the importance of corporate responsibility.

He said companies operating internationally must remain committed to community development, transparency and responsible business practices to achieve long-term success.

RISE Summit Brings Together Global Investors

The discussions took place at the inaugural RISE Summit 2026, a one-day event held at Dubai World Trade Centre on October 15.

Organised by inD, the summit brought together more than 250 institutional investors, sovereign funds, government leaders and major developers to discuss investment opportunities across markets, infrastructure, cities, real estate and the experience economy.

The event is supported by the Dubai Land Department and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism as strategic government partners. Other supporting organisations include the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and FIABCI Emirates.

ValuStrat is the Knowledge Partner, AIA Middle East is the Architecture Partner, and Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) is the Sustainability Partner.

The discussions placed productivity, supply-chain resilience, technology adoption and international investment at the centre of the UAE’s economic outlook as the country prepares for 2027.