The Emirate of Abu Dhabi continued to strengthen its position as a global hub for business and investment, relying on an advanced economic system and flexible regulatory policies that have helped cement investor confidence and attract major global financial institutions for asset management, such as Bin Capital, Blue Owl Capital, and Hellhouse Investment.

Indicators confirm the continuation of positive momentum in business establishment activity, bolstering expectations of sustained strong performance in the coming period within a business ecosystem capable of attracting long-term investments and enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy.

The sustained performance of the business sector reflects the success of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in providing a competitive investment environment based on ease of doing business, simplified procedures, and developed digital services, in addition to providing advanced regulatory and legislative frameworks that keep pace with economic changes and meet the aspirations of investors from around the world.

Data for the first quarter of this year indicates continued expansion of economic activity across various sectors, with craft licenses growing by 193%, commercial licenses by 20%, and licenses related to agriculture, fisheries, and livestock rising by 5%, reflecting the diversity of the economic base and the widening of investment opportunities in the emirate.

The data clarified that growth extended to all areas of the emirate, with Al Ain region recording the highest growth rate in new economic licenses at 58%, followed by Al Dhafra region at 28%, and then Abu Dhabi city at 18%, confirming the continuation of balanced economic development and the expansion of investment activity across different regions.

The industrial sector continues to consolidate its role as a key driver of economic diversification, with 34 new industrial facilities moving into production and the number of industrial facilities entering the operational phase increasing by 3%, enhancing the emirate's productive capacities, supporting supply chains, and aligning with the targets of the industrial strategy.

Over the past year, Abu Dhabi witnessed strong momentum in future sectors, with the number of artificial intelligence and advanced technology companies rising by 22.3%, reflecting growing investor confidence in the innovation-based economy of the emirate.

In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Mohammed Munif Al Mansouri, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority at the Department of Economic Development, emphasized that the continued rise in economic licenses confirms the strength of the system and its ability to maintain growth momentum and enhance Abu Dhabi's competitiveness regionally and globally.

Al Mansouri said that the continued positive performance momentum reflects growing investor confidence across various sectors, especially the industrial sector, supported by a package of regulatory initiatives, including extending the validity periods of industrial licenses to provide greater flexibility for investors during the establishment and development stages, in addition to continuing to develop digital services and improve procedural efficiency.

He affirmed that the Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority continues to develop the business ecosystem according to best global practices by enhancing governance and compliance and updating regulatory procedures to support sustainable economic growth and cement Abu Dhabi's position as a preferred destination for quality investments and a global business hub.

In the context of supporting entrepreneurship, flexible licenses continue to enhance their contribution to economic diversification, with 'Freelancer' licenses growing by 261%, 'Abu Dhabi Trader' licenses by 17%, and 'Mubdi'a' licenses by 15%, reflecting the increasing demand for flexible business models and their role in empowering small business owners and freelancers.

Similarly, commercial activity indicators reflect the vitality of the local market, with commercial advertisements rising by 26% and promotional offers by 2%, in addition to continued growth in active licenses by 12%, enhancing indicators of business sustainability and companies' confidence in continuing expansion within the emirate.

The momentum was not limited to the growth of business licenses but also reflected in Abu Dhabi's continued attraction of major global investment institutions, an indicator of the growing confidence in the emirate's business environment.

This year witnessed the opening and announcement of several global companies establishing offices in Abu Dhabi, including Bin Capital, Blue Owl Capital, and Hellhouse Investment, in a step that confirms the emirate's growing status as a global center for asset management and alternative investments and a primary platform for global financial institutions to launch into regional markets.

This growing presence of global companies reinforces the indications of economic license growth indicators, and confirms that the demand for Abu Dhabi is no longer limited to establishing new companies but extends to the relocation of international financial and investment institutions to make the emirate their headquarters, supporting economic diversification goals and enhancing Abu Dhabi's position on the global investment map.