H.H. Sheikh Mohammed: UAE ranked 5th in World Competitiveness Ranking

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has chaired a Cabinet meeting, highlighting major national achievements and approving key initiatives.

During the meeting at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed announced that the UAE has ranked 5th globally in the 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking.

The country was recognised for its strengths in economic performance, government efficiency and business environment. Notably, it ranked 1st worldwide for minimal bureaucracy and 2nd for government adaptability.

His Highness credited 14 years of coordinated national efforts for this rise from 28th place in 2009.

The Cabinet also approved housing grants worth AED 1.2 billion for over 1,800 citizens in the first half of 2025, reinforcing efforts to ensure stable and decent living conditions for Emirati families.

It also reviewed the Emirates Council for Balanced Development’s progress in enhancing Emirati villages and supporting families and small businesses, as well as the success of the UAE’s digital identity system UAE PASS, which now supports over 11 million users and has processed 2.6 billion digital transactions.

Further approvals included restructuring the national anti-money laundering committee, establishing a National Maritime Navigation Centre to enhance marine safety, and endorsing the 2024 Annual Report on Free Trade Negotiations, which saw 27 major trade agreements signed.

The UAE Cabinet, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, reviews UAE's results in 2025 IMD Global Competitiveness Report, along with reports and updates of government initiatives.#uaegov pic.twitter.com/f1gfuCoO6F

— UAEGOV (@UAEmediaoffice) June 17, 2025