UAE Minister Charts New Trade Roadmap at AIM Congress 2025
The UAE saw its foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows reach $30.68 billion in 2023. This represents a 35% annual growth and makes the country the largest market for greenfield foreign direct investment after the United States. The nation hit a historic milestone when its total trade volume exceeded AED 3 trillion (USD 817 billion) for the first time in 2024. Non-oil trade showed a strong 14.6% annual increase. The UAE’s strategic vision has strengthened its position as a global trade hub through 27 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA). These agreements helped boost non-oil trade by 42.3% in 2024. The upcoming AIM Congress 2025 shows this growth in action. The congress will host over 25,000 participants from 180 countries, with more than 1,250 speakers and 400 panel discussions that will shape the future of global investment and trade partnerships.
UAE Launches $30 Billion Trade Initiative at AIM Congress
Image Source: The Exchange Africa
The UAE government unveiled ALTÉRRA at the AIM Congress 2025. This groundbreaking AED 110.16 billion ($30 billion) investment platform wants to speed up climate finance worldwide. The platform stands as the largest climate change action investment vehicle to date. Its ambitious goal is to generate AED 917.99 billion ($250 billion) in global climate investments by 2030.
UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade and AIM Congress President, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, called the platform “a transformational solution for attracting private capital”. He highlighted how these major international events strengthen UAE’s position as a global investment and trade hub.
ALTÉRRA’s structure consists of two main parts that change how different market segments work:
- ALTÉRRA ACCELERATION: This AED 91.80 billion ($25 billion) component acts as an anchor investor in climate strategies. It guides institutional capital toward climate investments that support the net-zero transition.
- ALTÉRRA TRANSFORMATION: A AED 18.36 billion ($5 billion) component that offers risk capital. It encourages capital flow to the Global South, with special focus on Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.
The initiative has partnered with leading global investment firms. BlackRock received AED 3.67 billion ($1 billion) for its Climate Transition-Oriented Private Debt strategy. Brookfield secured AED 7.34 billion ($2 billion) for its Global Transition Fund II. TPG got AED 5.51 billion ($1.5 billion) for TPG Rise Climate private equity funds.
UAE’s climate fund fits perfectly with the nation’s broader economic strategy, which shows remarkable results. The UAE reached new heights in 2024 when its total trade volume exceeded AED 3 trillion for the first time. Non-oil sectors now make up more than 70% of UAE’s GDP, which shows the success of its economic diversification plans.
Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development Transforms Investment Landscape
The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development has created a complete framework to boost the emirate’s appeal as a global investment destination. The department has rebuilt the business ecosystem by integrating technology and implementing forward-thinking policies that deal with evolving market needs.
The Abu Dhabi Business Connect Platform serves as the life-blood of this change. This platform strengthens private sector companies to showcase projects, build partnerships, and draw investments locally and internationally. Businesses can streamline their operations through this digital platform that boosts trade flows and gives investors vital market data to make sound decisions.
Abu Dhabi has also changed its foreign ownership rules. Since June 2021, foreign investors can have 100% ownership across 1,065 business activities in commercial and industrial sectors. These changes led to a substantial rise in new business licenses.
The investment landscape grew stronger with the creation of the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC). The council launched MGX, a technology investment company that focuses on AI infrastructure, semiconductors, and AI core technologies. This initiative builds on Abu Dhabi’s current investments and works with leading international technology companies.
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) added value by launching the ADX Group with two new subsidiaries: Abu Dhabi Clear and Abu Dhabi Central Securities Depository. This market setup aims to discover more investment opportunities and increase market liquidity through better access to market activities. The group’s new trading system should boost resilience and performance by 400%.
The emirate’s strategic location gives investors extra benefits. About 80% of the world’s population lives within eight hours of flying time. Long-term residency visa programs, quality healthcare, and respected academic institutions make Abu Dhabi an ideal hub for investors who want state-of-the-art solutions and a progressive business environment.
UAE Economy Pivots Toward Knowledge-Based Sectors
The UAE economy has grown by an impressive 3.7%, with non-oil sectors now making up over 70% of the country’s GDP. This growth shows how the nation is moving away from hydrocarbon dependence to build a knowledge-based economy that matches the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030’s goals.
The Abu Dhabi government created the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) in November 2020 to speed up this economic change through state-of-the-art research and development. ATRC’s structure has two main parts: Technology Innovation Institute (TII) runs seven research centers that work with global academia and industry, while ASPIRE provides research funding and creates challenges to solve major global issues.
UAE’s new direction has earned global recognition. The country ranks fifth worldwide in AI competitiveness according to Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI’s 2024 Global Vibrancy Tool report, surpassing 20-year-old tech powers like France, Germany, and Japan. This achievement comes in part from UAE’s unified AI regulation system that helps implement policies faster and more consistently.
Future technologies are the life-blood of this transformation. The Quantum Research Center (QRC) develops groundbreaking quantum technologies. UAE aims to create “the whole stack” of quantum technology: computers, algorithms, and middleware software. The quantum technology industry should reach AED 4.77 trillion in value by 2035.
Abu Dhabi has approved 144 projects worth AED 65.98 billion for housing, education, and tourism to support this growth. Dubai has also announced its biggest government budget at AED 271.72 billion, with half going to infrastructure like roads, transportation systems, and renewable energy facilities.
UAE continues to invest heavily in green hydrogen, solar energy, and state-of-the-art technology. These investments help create a sustainable economic framework that relies on knowledge-intensive activities instead of hydrocarbon revenues.
UAE’s remarkable economic transformation shows its strategic vision and execution capabilities. ALTÉRRA’s $30 billion climate fund and Abu Dhabi’s complete business reforms have helped the nation become a global investment powerhouse. The numbers tell the story clearly – $30.68 billion in FDI inflows and AED 3 trillion in total trade volume.
The nation continues to move toward knowledge-based sectors. Substantial investments in quantum computing, AI research, and green technologies make UAE stand out among global economies. Abu Dhabi has created business-friendly policies and developed strategic infrastructure worth AED 65.98 billion. These elements build an ecosystem ready to tackle future challenges.
UAE combines climate action, technological advancement, and economic diversification to ensure sustainable growth. Non-oil sectors now represent 70% of GDP. This achievement proves the economy’s readiness to embrace tomorrow’s opportunities and challenges.
