UAE Achieves Record Emiratisation with 131,000 Citizens in Private Sector: Sheikh Mohammed

In 2024, the number of Emiratis employed in the UAE's private sector reached 131,000 for the first time, representing a significant 350-percent increase, it was announced on Thursday.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, showed the record achievements of the country in 2024 at the first meeting of the Cabinet in 2025.

The Emiratisation initiative in the UAE has improved by tough reminders and closer crackdowns on violators. Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that Nafis' program and benefits helped in this achievement."

Emiratisation is just one of many notable successes that the UAE has achieved in 2024. The Vice-President spotlighted a series of other firsts that showed the country's remarkable growth:

Economic Indicators

Foreign trade exceeded Dh2.8 trillion for the first time, with total foreign direct investments projected to reach 130 billion dirhams. The value of industrial exports also hit Dh190 billion.

The business environment remains robust, with 200,000 new companies joining.

More emirati youth are also starting their own businesses. "Our young citizens launched 25,000 small and medium-sized companies that entered the country’s economic cycle," Sheikh Mohammed said.

Legislation

The UAE Government has finished a three-year project to revise the legislation enacted since the formation of the Union, the Vice-President announced.

Around 2,500 government officials collaborated and reviewed these policies.

"The team finished updating 80 per cent of the country’s economic, social and regulatory legislation, which contributed to creating a better environment for growth," Sheikh Mohammed said.

Tourism

Tourist facilities nationwide hosted over 30 million visitors in 2024, while airports saw a staggering 150 million passengers during the same period.

National development

In addition to meeting and surpassing targets, the UAE Government is looking ahead, planning strategies for the next 20 years.

"More than 750 national projects and initiatives [were rolled out] to support the development process and attract the best competencies, talents and investments to the UAE," Sheikh Mohammed said.

"The Cabinet and the Ministerial Development Council have issued 1,300 decisions with the aim of creating the best regulatory environment that supports the country’s rapid growth over the next two decades."