Federal government employees can now operate remotely from outside the UAE thanks to an approved new work structure.

The program, which was unveiled Monday during a Cabinet meeting chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE’s vice president, prime minister, and ruler of Dubai, intends to draw in foreign expertise to assist with government research, projects, and specialized work.

The UAE government approved a comprehensive six-year national investment strategy during today’s cabinet meeting at Qasar Al Watan.

The strategy aims to more than double the country’s annual foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows by 2031, further solidifying the country’s position as a global hub for capital and business.

The strategy aims to increase FDI inflows from Dh 112 billion in 2023 to Dh 240 billion by the end of the strategy’s duration. It was approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired over by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and the ruler of Dubai. 

During the same time frame, it also seeks to increase the total stock of foreign investments from Dh 800 billion to Dh 2.2 trillion.

Sheikh Mohammed said in a statement after the meeting, which took place at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, that the plan would concentrate on key areas such as industry, logistics, financial services, renewable energy, and information technology. “The UAE is still growing its economy, expanding its markets, attracting investments, and establishing the world’s best business environment.”

The Cabinet also examined the status of the UAE’s strategic partnerships with African countries. noting that 95 percent of the previously approved projects have been carried out, leading to a notable increase in trade volume with Sub-Saharan Africa, which increased by 87 percent over five years, from Dh 126.7 billion in 2019 to Dh 235 billion in 2024.

 “The UAE will continue to build new economic bridges across all continents, solidifying its position as a global trade hub connecting regions worldwide.”  Sheikh Mohammed posted a tweet.

The Cabinet also evaluated the national digital economy strategy, which aims to raise the digital economy’s share of GDP from 9.7 percent to 19.4 percent over the following six years. Several domestic initiatives and reforms are part of the program, which aims to improve the nation’s standing in the global digital economy.

The Cabinet approved a new national policy to address health threats to improve the nation’s ability to and response capabilities. The policy has thorough plans to handle public health crises during emergencies and provides important national scenarios for prevention, planning, reaction, and recovery. 

The vice president of the United Arab Emirates stated that “continually strengthening the UAE’s readiness for health emergencies will remain a priority to ensure health security and enhance overall quality of life.”

The Cabinet also authorized executive regulations dealing with the donation and transplantation of human organs and tissues. The goal of the action is to increase access to therapy for people with illnesses that can only be cured by organ transplantation.

 The number of transplant surgeries performed in the UAE has increased by 30%, and over 13 licensed centers are currently carrying out these treatments. Kidney, liver, heart, lung, digestive, and other organ transplants are currently available in the United Arab Emirates. With a dedication to providing everyone with the best possible healthcare services, our health sector keeps progressing,” Sheikh Mohammed added.

The Emirates Research and Development Council, which Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed currently leads, was restructured by the Cabinet to establish national priorities and encourage collaboration between the public, commercial, and academic sectors.

The Cabinet approved revised regulations for the social assistance and empowerment system. The regulations specify general requirements and eligibility conditions for basic and supplementary allowances.

With a 29% increase, the annual budget for social support programs now stands at almost Dh 3.5 billion. A strategic transition from support-based assistance to active economic involvement is shown in the 3,200 people who have been effectively integrated into the labor market, representing a 37% increase in the number of beneficiaries.

The Cabinet also passed 28 foreign agreements, including various security, logistical, and government cooperation agreements with nations worldwide and agreements for commercial partnerships with Malaysia, New Zealand, and Kenya.

“Our teams’ efforts are still driving progress, and the development trajectory is accelerating. Thanks to thousands of teams’ hard work and devotion in every industry, we witness our nation’s future growing stronger, brighter, and more prosperous every day.”  Sheikh Mohammed said.

Future Prospects

The following could happen as the UAE keeps improving its system for remote work:

• Expansion to More Federal Sectors: The policy might cover a wider range of government agencies and positions.
• Integration of AI and Automation: Remote work activities can be streamlined and efficiency increased by utilizing automation tools and artificial intelligence (AI).
• Collaborations with International Organizations: The best practices for the governance of remote work can be maximized by collaborating with international organizations.
• Stronger measures To safeguard government data, more investment in cybersecurity will be required as remote employment grows.