The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is poised to enter 2027 with a renewed focus on economic productivity and resilience, according to Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism. Speaking at the RISE Summit 2026 in Dubai, Al Marri outlined the government’s priorities for the coming year as recovery, execution, and reform amid shifting global economic dynamics driven by geopolitical tensions and realigned trade routes.
Al Marri emphasized that the UAE’s economy is transitioning into a new phase characterized by enhanced productivity rather than increased spending, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence (AI). He highlighted the importance of embedding AI into existing production and operational systems to improve efficiency, especially within the manufacturing sector. The goal is to leverage technology to achieve measurable improvements in day-to-day business activities rather than treating tech investments as standalone initiatives.
The minister also pointed to a significant change in how supply chains are managed globally. “In the past, everyone was looking at the cheaper and the faster route. Today, we’re looking at redundancy,” Al Marri said, underscoring the growing emphasis on reliability and local production. This approach reflects broader efforts to bolster supply-chain resilience by prioritizing consistent access to goods over mere cost savings or speed. The UAE’s cluster economy model, which integrates complementary capabilities across its emirates, aims to support domestic production and reduce vulnerabilities in supply.
Al Marri’s remarks highlighted the distinction between focusing on cost alone and valuing quality, location, service, and overall value. He stressed that reputation remains a sustainable asset for countries and companies alike, remarking, “The only sustainable thing in life is your name.”
Separately, Omar Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties, discussed the impact of recent regional conflicts on business confidence. He noted that cancellations for property units at Emaar surged during the Iran-US conflict but have since declined below pre-conflict levels, while sales continue steadily. Hotel occupancy rates have improved to over 60 percent, and consumer spending remains robust despite geopolitical uncertainties.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Alabbar was candid about past investment errors, citing losses in the US market driven by emotional decisions and challenges in the regional retail sector, where profits remained elusive for years. He also acknowledged shortcomings in talent management in the Middle East, emphasizing the need to better recognize and reward workers.
Together, these insights from the UAE’s economic leadership signal a strategic focus on embedding technology to boost productivity, enhancing supply-chain reliability, and maintaining investor and consumer confidence amid an evolving global landscape.