UAE Economy Strengthens, Achieves Highest Global Financial Centres Index Ranking at Seventh Place in 2026
Abu Dhabi: The UAE economy has demonstrated robust growth in the early months of 2026, buoyed by a resilient financial and banking sector alongside rising foreign trade and investment metrics. This information is corroborated by official data and various local and international reports.
The UAE has solidified its position as a leader both regionally and globally, showcasing its ability to adapt to changing challenges while maintaining stability. The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) reported a 1.1% increase in total banking assets in February 2026, surpassing AED5.472 trillion, up from AED5.414 trillion in January.
Total credit rose by 1.2%, reaching AED2.63 trillion, supported by an increase of AED20.6 billion in domestic credit. Bank deposits also saw growth, rising by 1.9% to AED3.4 trillion, with resident deposits increasing by 1.7% to AED3.098 trillion.
The financial sector in the UAE continues to exhibit strong stability. As of early March, the capital adequacy ratio was reported at 17%, while the liquidity coverage ratio exceeded 146.6%, significantly above international regulatory requirements.
Top Banks List
UAE banks have further enhanced their standing in Forbes’ 2026 list of the world’s best banks, which features prominent national institutions such as First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), Emirates Islamic, Emirates NBD, and Commercial Bank of Dubai.
International rating agencies have reaffirmed the UAE’s sovereign strength. Moody’s maintained its Aa2 rating with a stable outlook following its review on March 30, 2026. Concurrently, S&P Global Ratings confirmed the UAE’s sovereign credit rating at AA/A-1+ for both local and foreign currencies, also with a stable outlook.
S&P highlighted that the UAE economy is supported by strong fiscal and economic resilience, with consolidated government net assets estimated at approximately 184% of GDP in 2026. Government liquid assets are reported to be around 210% of GDP.
Foreign Trade Strategy
The UAE is advancing its foreign trade strategy through the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA) program, which aims to elevate non-oil trade to AED4 trillion by 2031. In the first quarter of 2026, agreements were signed with the Philippines, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Gabon.
The UAE has also made significant strides in international rankings, entering the top ten merchandise exporters globally for the first time, securing the ninth position according to the World Trade Organization. The total foreign trade of the UAE reached AED6 trillion in 2025, marking a 15% increase compared to 2024. Trade in services surpassed AED1.14 trillion for the first time, while non-oil merchandise trade rose by 27% to AED3.8 trillion.
Mubadala Investment Company has further bolstered its investment portfolio, with assets reaching AED1.4 trillion and a cumulative return exceeding 10% over five- and ten-year periods.
Most Valuable Brands
ADNOC has entered the ranks of the world’s 100 most valuable brands, maintaining its status as the UAE’s most valuable brand for the eighth consecutive year. Its brand value increased by 11% to $21.13 billion, reflecting a growth of over 350% since 2017.
Dubai has also achieved its highest ranking in the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI), moving up to seventh place, which underscores its growing significance as a global financial hub.
The UAE has seen notable growth in the number of registered companies, exceeding 1.45 million by the end of February. The Dubai Chamber of Commerce reported the establishment of 2,709 new companies in March 2026. The Sharjah Economic Development Department noted a 1% increase in issued and renewed licenses in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. In Ajman, 1,617 new licenses and 8,777 renewed licenses were issued during the same timeframe, with renewed licenses increasing by 7% year-on-year, indicating a stable business environment and sustained economic activity.
At the sovereign debt level, the UAE’s dirham-denominated Treasury bonds (T-Bonds) auction for March 2026 yielded strong results, with total issuance reaching AED1.1 billion. The auction attracted robust demand from primary dealers for tranches maturing in September 2027 and January 2031, with total bids amounting to AED4.85 billion, approximately 4.4 times the issuance size.
Source: www.emirates247.com
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Published on 2026-04-18 07:03:00 • By the Editorial Desk
