Abu Dhabi, UAE – The UAE economy continued its upward trajectory during the first months of 2026. With the strengthening of the financial and banking sector and the rise in foreign trade and investment indicators.
The UAE economy has strengthened its sustainable leadership at the regional and global levels. He has proven to be a role model in terms of stability and flexibility in the face of various variables and challenges.
The Monetary and Banking Developments Report for February 2026, issued by the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, showed that total banking assets increased by 1.1% to exceed AED 5.472 trillion. Compared to 5.414 trillion dirhams the previous January.
Total credit rose by 1.2% to AED 2.63 trillion, supported by an increase in domestic credit of AED 20.6 billion. Bank deposits grew by 1.9% to reach AED 3.4 trillion. With residents’ deposits increasing by 1.7% to reach AED 3.098 trillion.
The UAE financial sector enjoys advanced levels of stability. The capital adequacy ratio reached 17% at the beginning of last March. While the liquidity coverage rate exceeded 146.6%, exceeding international and regulatory standards.
Forbes’ list of
UAE banks have strengthened their presence on Forbes magazine’s list of the world’s best banks 2026. The list included a number of the country’s most prominent financial institutions, such as First Abu Dhabi Bank, Commercial International Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Islamic Emirates, Emirates NBD, and Dubai Commercial Bank.
For its part, the Ministry of Finance announced that Moody’s credit rating agency completed a periodic review of the UAE’s credit ratings on March 30, 2026. The suitability of the current classification, which remained unchanged at “Aa2” with a stable outlook, was re-evaluated.
In this context, S&P Global Ratings has fixed the UAE’s sovereign credit rating at AA / A-1+ for both domestic and foreign currencies. With a stable outlook.
The agency explained that the UAE economy is based on high levels of financial and economic flexibility. Supported by consolidated net government assets estimated at 184% of GDP in 2026. Government liquid assets amount to about 210% of GDP.
Strengthening the foreign trade strategy
The UAE continued to strengthen its foreign trade strategy under the umbrella of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements Programme. Which aims to raise the value of non-oil trade to 4 trillion dirhams by 2031.
During the first quarter of 2026, the country signed agreements with the Philippines, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In addition to the Republic of Gabon.
The UAE economy topped prominent international indicators, as the country entered for the first time among the world’s top ten commodity exports. It ranks ninth according to the World Trade Organization report.
The report indicated that the UAE’s total foreign trade recorded 6 trillion dirhams in 2025, a growth of 15% compared to 2024. While services trade reached 1.14 trillion dirhams for the first time. Trade in non-oil goods rose by 27% to reach 3.8 trillion dirhams.
most valuable brands
Mubadala Investment Company enhanced the flexibility of its investment portfolio, with assets valued at AED 1.4 trillion. With a cumulative return of over 10% over five and ten years.
ADNOC also entered the list of the 100 most valuable brands worldwide, maintaining its position as the most valuable brand in the UAE for the eighth consecutive year. With its value increasing by 11% to reach $21.13 billion, achieving growth exceeding 350% since 2017.
Dubai recorded its highest ranking in the Global Financial Centers Index (GFCI), advancing to seventh place. Reflecting its rise as one of the world’s leading financial centers.
new companies
The UAE has achieved remarkable growth in the number of companies registered in the economic registry. Which reached more than 1.45 million companies by the end of last February.
In this context, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce recorded the joining of 2,709 new companies in March 2026. The Sharjah Department of Economic Development revealed a 1% growth in the number of issued and renewed licenses during the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2025.
The Department of Economic Development in Ajman also issued 1,617 new licenses during the first quarter of 2026, and 8,777 renewed licenses. In an indicator that reflects the stability of the business environment and the continued activity of establishments in the emirate. After renewed licenses increased by 7% compared to the same period in 2025.
In terms of treasury bonds, the March 2026 auction of government treasury bonds “T-Bonds” denominated in UAE dirhams achieved great success. With a total issuance volume of 1.1 billion dirhams.
The auction witnessed strong demand from banks dealing in the treasury bond tranche due in September 2027, and the tranche due in January 2031. The total value of the submitted bids amounted to 4.85 billion UAE dirhams. Equivalent to about 4.4 times the version size.
