Page 434 - MOET PR REPORT- SEPTEMBER 2025

9/23/25, 5:02 PM UAE Targets Over Two Million Startups by 2031
He stated that the campaign is designed to provide an enabling environment that empowers youth to
establish and expand their businesses. By doing so, it will advance the UAE’s position as a global hub for

entrepreneurship.

Strong Infrastructure and Support

Al Marri noted that the UAE has implemented comprehensive strategies to drive this vision, including
economic clusters, food security policies, openness through Comprehensive Economic Partnership

Agreements, and frameworks for innovation and intellectual property protection. Together, these

strategies reflect the readiness of national infrastructure at both federal and local levels to sustain rapid
startup growth.

Currently, the UAE hosts more than 1.2 million companies, with around one million owned by
entrepreneurs. This accounts for nearly 94% of the total, underscoring the critical role entrepreneurs play

in strengthening the economy.

SME Contribution to Non-Oil Growth

The Minister highlighted that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have already become a driving

force within the national economy. By mid-2022, SMEs contributed 63.5% to non-oil GDP and
represented 95% of all companies operating in the UAE market. These figures demonstrate the sector’s

significance in diversifying the economy and building sustainable growth.

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