Ministry unveils details of the Start‑Up Campaign

Broad institutional support and leadership

The campaign is being supervised by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, in partnership with the UAE Government Media Office and the UAE Council for Entrepreneurship. Over 50 government and private entities, business incubators, accelerators, and academic institutions are involved in bringing it to life.

Strategic aims and core vision

The campaign aims to establish a globally competitive economy driven by innovation, youth empowerment, and entrepreneurship. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri emphasised policies and practical initiatives, built on robust data and performance indicators, to attract talent, investors, and entrepreneurs from around the world.

Key achievements and competitive edge

Al Marri highlighted that the UAE has secured first place in the 2024‑2025 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report for the fourth year running. The country ranked first among high‑income countries on 11 of 13 indicators and was named the top destination for entrepreneurship and SMEs among 56 economies.

Flagship programmes and economic impact

Under this campaign, several major initiatives have been announced: the StartupEmirates.ae platform aims to attract 10,000 entrepreneurs and generate 30,000 jobs in five years; there will be entrepreneurship training for 10,000 Emiratis; licensing of 500 Emiratis in project management for residential construction; support for Emiratis to establish real estate companies; certification of tax agents; and more, including enhancing access to federal procurement.

SME role, legislative incentives and infrastructure

SMEs represent approximately 95% of active businesses in the UAE, contributing 63.5% of non‑oil GDP. The UAE has also advanced legislation allowing 100% foreign ownership in most sectors, streamlined regulations, and strengthened infrastructure—ports, airports, digital services—to make the business environment more attractive.

Mobilising an ecosystem and future‑facing partnerships

A meeting of the UAE Council for Entrepreneurship, chaired by Al Marri, reiterated the importance of coordination between federal, local, academic, and financial institutions. The focus is on supporting SME growth, enabling global competitiveness, and empowering Emirati youth to build sustainable enterprises.

Summary

The campaign “The Emirates: The Startup Capital of the World” lays out a multi‑faceted strategy to position the UAE at the forefront of global entrepreneurship. With strong institutional backing, legislative reforms, and ambitious programmes, the UAE seeks to foster innovation, SME growth, and youth empowerment while leveraging its high ranking in international entrepreneurship performance.