Page 580 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - APRIL 2025 (Part 2)

4/10/25, 2:52 PM UAE ranks first globally in Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2024-2025 Report for fourth consecutive year
$8.7 billion investment to enhance the competitiveness of the entrepreneurship ecosystem

According to the report, the entrepreneurship ecosystem in the UAE continues to thrive and make progress globally,
driven by supportive business and economic policies, strategic government initiatives, and a competitive investment
climate. A key factor in this success is the country's investment of $8.7 billion under the “Project of the 50” initiative,
aimed at fostering innovation and the growth of SMEs. This initiative, along with the country allowing 100 per cent
foreign ownership of businesses and record-breaking foreign direct investment inflows in 2023, continues to

enhance the UAE's position as a global hub for entrepreneurs.

High-Level Entrepreneurship Culture

The report highlighted that the entrepreneurship culture in the UAE is marked by a high level of awareness and
ambition among its people. Around 67 per cent of adults either know an entrepreneur or believe they have the
necessary skills to start a business. Additionally, 70 per cent of the UAE population sees strong opportunities for

launching a business locally, while 78 per cent of new entrepreneurs prioritise social and environmental impact over
profitability. Meanwhile, 75 per cent of early-stage entrepreneurs plan to expand their teams, intending to hire at
least six employees in the next five years. The report also revealed that 80 per cent of entrepreneurs plan to
integrate technology into their business operations, and 78 per cent of new entrepreneurs are eager to build

significant wealth or earn a high income. Moreover, 55 per cent of UAE entrepreneurs cater to clients outside the
UAE market, reinforcing the country's position as a global business and investment hub.

UAE ranks first globally in the “National Entrepreneurship Context Index”

The UAE also secured top spot globally in GEM's National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI), reflecting the
strength of the country's entrepreneurial environment, which was evaluated based on a points system derived from

the opinions of entrepreneurship experts. This contributes to reinforcing the UAE's vision of reaching one million
SMEs by 2031.

The release of this report coincided with the 25th anniversary of GEM, a leading global organisation in the field of

entrepreneurship. Recognised by leading international bodies such as the World Bank, the International Monetary
Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Intellectual Property
Organization (WIPO), and several United Nations (UN) organisations, GEM serves as a critical benchmark for
global entrepreneurship.

The report features the world's largest study on entrepreneurship and its activities, summarising research conducted
by GEM across global economies to evaluate their entrepreneurial vitality. Its methodology focuses on achieving
three key objectives: measuring differences in entrepreneurial activity across global economies, understanding the

entrepreneurial ecosystem, identifying the factors influencing it, and recommending policies to enhance and develop
the level of entrepreneurial activity.

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