Page 64 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - APRIL 2025 (Part 1)

Press Release

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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