The Middle East

Ranked as the Middle East and North Africa’s most high-tech city alongside Dubai and Doha, according to a study by Swedish telecoms equipment company Ericsson, Abu Dhabi’s sophisticated ICT infrastructure and strong fibre network reaffirm its position as a regional business centre and play a critical role in the emirate’s diversification efforts and transition towards a knowledge-based economy....

Efforts to enhance food security and reduce the impact of imported inflation have made the sector a greater priority. Further to this, the government is committed to developing the sector on the grounds that agriculture has played an important role in the emirate’s history, and is considered to be a pillar of its heritage and culture. As in much of the rest of the Gulf, fresh water is in short...

Fuelled by higher incomes; the growing, ageing population; a rise in the prevalence of lifestyle diseases; and the introduction of mandatory health insurance, Abu Dhabi’s health sector has expanded rapidly in the past five years. Given demographic trends, in 2011 the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD) estimated that by 2021, Abu Dhabi will need up to an additional 1900 doctors, 5300 nurses and...

Building a skilled workforce capable of driving a knowledge-based economy is Abu Dhabi’s main goal when it comes to education. In pursuit of this aim, the emirate’s government is making major investments in its schools and universities that are geared towards enhancing the quality and quantity of education for the growing local population. Thanks to government incentives and increased local...

The government has overseen Al Ain’s development in line with the policies laid out by the current ruling family of Abu Dhabi, which is committed to maintaining the traditional character of their ancestral home. Al Ain’s heritage and the area’s many natural attractions have made it a popular tourist destination for Emiratis and foreigners alike. Under Plan Al Ain, Jebel Hafeet and the surrounding...

Accounting for the majority of the emirate’s oil and gas reserves, Al Gharbia generates more than 44% of Abu Dhabi’s GDP, with economic output exceeding $31bn per year. In the coming years, it is set for substantial investment as the government looks to rejuvenate the region and ensure that local talent is retained and plays an integral role in development. As such, over the next two decades, a...