Economic powerhouse and a place to do business
Abu Dhabi ’ s vibrant economy , world-class infrastructure , strategic location and business-friendly regulatory environment are all factors making it one of the world ’ s top destinations for investment and business .
It has been ranked first in the Middle East for ‘ Ease of Doing Business ’ and 12th internationally by the World Bank . The Global Entrepreneurship Index 2019 / 2020 ranked the UAE as the second in the world in terms of the ratio of entrepreneurs to the total population of the country .
According to Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi , the emirate GDP reached AED1 trillion ( around $ US272bn ) in 2021 , and GDP per capita at $ 93.7k , is one of the highest in the world . Global rating agency Standard and Poor ’ s has rated Abu Dhabi AA and Fitch and Moody ’ s have rated it AA- and aa2 , respectively indicating its economy is very strong for the long-term . In addition , the IMF has said the emirate ’ s gross official reserves exceed US $ 100bn .
The emirate has a well-developed and robust banking system . Two of the region ’ s largest banks , First Abu Dhabi Bank ( FAB ) and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank ( ADCB ), are headquartered in Abu Dhabi , while 24 international banks have branches in the emirate , including HSBC , BNP Paribas , Credit Agricole , Standard Chartered and CitiBank .
The total banking assets of 22 national UAE banks had risen to AED3.23 trillion ( US $ 880bn ) by August 2022 , according to the UAE Central Bank . This plays a key role in funding the growth of the economy , offering multiple sources of debt and equity financing to companies in the UAE .
The UAE is keen to grow the SME sector , too , and its Khalifa Fund is designed to support SME enterprise development .
Abu Dhabi continues to diversify its economy beyond oil and gas and is focusing on ICT ; Financial Services ; Health & Biopharma ; Agriculture Tech & Services ; Aerospace & Advanced Industries ; and Downstream Chemicals .
In the sphere of connectivity , projects include Etihad Rail ’ s 264km of railway built between Shah and Ruwais , and the addition of 300 buses operating across the public transport network in Abu Dhabi . Work is also underway to extend the railway across the country and to connect it with a growing GCC network .
The emirate ’ s increasingly diverse economy offers a proven expansion ground and a gateway that nurtures innovation and long-term success .
6 / EXHIBITION WORLD / ABU DHABI