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This chapter contains an overview of the tax framework in which local and foreign investors operate including an outline of the business and tax incentives offered by the free zones and a rundown of the Wages Protection System. This chapter contains a viewpoint from Dean Kern, Middle East Tax and Legal Services Leader, PwC.

The media industry in Abu Dhabi has witnessed a surge in investment recently as sector infrastructure is developed to support the expansion of local production and content creation. By early 2015 direct spending on television and film production was expected to contribute $108.9m to the UAE’s economy over the next five years while the Media Zone Authority is looking to expand the breadth of services and networks it offers, including costume design, hair stylists, makeup artists, camera operators and post-production facilities. Meanwhile, e-commerce presents a significant range of new opportunities, with the segment expected to see growth of 40% by 2020 in GCC states, and with sales likely to reach $41.5bn. This chapter contains an interview with Noura Al Kaabi, Chairwoman, Media Zone, Authority–Abu Dhabi and twofour54.

The authorities in Abu Dhabi are seeking to develop the local agriculture and food-processing sector as part of wider efforts to improve food security and diversify the economy, with the emirate now emerging as an important regional food-processing center. Dates are Abu Dhabi’s most important crop and largest agricultural export by value, while there were 31 commercial livestock farms operating in Abu Dhabi in 2014, up from 26 a year before. Meanwhile, consumption of local produce grew at a compound annual growth rate of 28.4% between 2010 and 2013 in terms of volume, compared to 7.9% for the market as a whole.

The federal government’s recent efforts to reduce the nation’s environmental impact have started to bear fruit. A three-year plan was announced in late 2014 for reusing 100% of recycled water. Currently Abu Dhabi treats all 800,000 cu metres of the wastewater generated daily, of which 60% is reused while 40% returns to sea. Meanwhile in early 2015 legal moves were made to endorse the expansion of the emirate’s protected areas, oversight of which falls under the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi. Elsewhere a 25-year recycling plan will break Abu Dhabi into zones, with recycling centres being developed according to the types of waste generated in those particular areas. This chapter includes an interview with Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary-General, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD).

Abu Dhabi has become increasingly competitive as a regional and international destination in recent years. Guest numbers for 2015 were in line with growth targets, a trend that has continued over from 2014. In 2015 arrivals surpassed 4.1m, equalling an 18% increase over 2014, when 3.5m people visited. Indeed there is a growing recognition that the emirate is home to a “visitor economy” – one where master planned development is approached considering the overall quality of experience from the visitor’s point of view. Of particular interest is the emirate’s expanding museum offering with five major museums due to open in the coming years, while Abu Dhabi’s numerous sporting mega-events, such as the Formula 1 (F1) Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, are bringing significant economic benefits to the emirate. This chapter contains an interview with Ali Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Managing Director, ADNEC Group.

The health authority in Abu Dhabi continues to implement sector reforms, with a new seven-point health strategy that is aimed at addressing the most critical issues faced by patients and medical professionals in the emirate. An increasing emphasis on preventative care, emergency preparedness and further expansion of specialty care are expected to bolster health indicators moving forward. Indeed, since 2013 specialty gaps have reduced markedly, with the number of emergency physicians growing by 20%, a 41% rise in neonatologists and 21% more paediatric and orthopaedic doctors. Numbers of critical care doctors have jumped by 14%. Meanwhile, the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi is currently working to increase the number of Emirati health care workers, while ongoing partnerships with the private sector are bolstering professional training for existing staff. This chapter contains an interview with Dr Maha Barakat, Director-General, Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD).