United Arab Emirates: New Long-Term National Strategy Program Announced
November 30, 2022
At a Glance
- The UAE government launched a national program, “We the UAE 2031”, which is expected to have an impact on the country’s approach towards immigration, investment, and employment, among other policies.
- The program aligns with wider government objectives, with key goals including increased localization efforts, developing the healthcare sector, development of policies that contribute to economic growth, increasing non-oil exports and tourism, among other objectives.
The situation
The UAE government launched a national program, “We the UAE 2031”, which aims to shape the country’s future for the next 10 years with a focus on social economic, investment and development aspects.
A closer look
The program is based on the four main pillars listed below, covering all sectors and fields, including the economy, society, ecosystem and diplomacy.
National Pillars | Main Features of Pillar | Potential Impact on Immigration and Employment Policies and Business Landscape |
“Forward Society” |
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“Forward Economy” |
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"Forward Diplomacy" |
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"Forward Ecosystem" |
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Background
The program aligns with the wider objectives of the “UAE Centennial 2071” plan that was announced last year and will build on many existing policies, including Emiratization and the new unemployment insurance requirements.
Looking ahead
The United Arab Emirates is likely to continue with relaxed immigration policies to remain competitive in terms of foreign investment and to decrease its traditional reliance on hydrocarbons while ensuring long-term economic growth. However, the country will need to balance this flexibility with its efforts to offer adequate employment to local talent (particularly in the private sector) and to limit the influx of an unskilled workforce.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].