The UAE Cabinet, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the federal budget for 2026, amounting to AED 92.4 billion. The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting held at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi.
The newly approved budget, estimated at AED 92.4 billion in both revenues and expenditures, represents the largest in the nation’s history since the formation of the Union. Sheikh Mohammed stated that the 2026 budget reinforces the UAE’s dedication to balanced growth and enhances the strength of its federal governance model.
In a post on his official X account, Sheikh Mohammed shared details of the meeting, confirming the Cabinet’s approval of the 2026 federal budget with equal estimated revenues and expenditures of AED 92.4 billion.
He added that this is the largest federal budget since the Union’s founding, designed to fortify the federal system and uphold the nation’s enduring commitment to balanced and sustainable development.
The Cabinet also endorsed the establishment of a programme to bolster the Federal Financial Centre. The initiative will receive annual allocations from the federal budget to promote long-term financial sustainability across federal entities.
Separately, the Cabinet reviewed the results of the UAE’s 2024 National Agenda for Outward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which revealed the country’s total foreign investments abroad reached AED 1.05 trillion — marking a 9 per cent rise compared to the previous year. The UAE now leads the Arab world and ranks among the top 20 global economies in outward FDI.
Sheikh Mohammed said the figures highlight the strength and expanding global influence of the UAE’s economy, noting, “Our investments continue to grow, our trade is accelerating, and our economy is moving steadily forward.”
During the same meeting, the Cabinet approved 35 international agreements and memoranda of understanding covering various areas of economic cooperation. It also reviewed the progress of the UAE’s export development policy, which saw exports increase from approximately AED 470 billion in 2019 to AED 950 billion in 2024 — representing a 103 per cent surge.
