UAE boosts economic resilience as Aldar diversifies beyond property

The United Arab Emirates is intensifying efforts to reinforce supply chains, increase domestic output and draw investment as companies and policymakers adjust to shifting conditions. According to a report published Wed 14 Oct 2026, 5:24 PM.

Speaking at a business forum, Talal Al Dhiyebi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Aldar Properties, said the UAE continued to attract international investors despite geopolitical uncertainty while stressing the need to diversify businesses to generate sustainable income.

“There is no shortage of capital, and there is no shortage of opportunity,” Al Dhiyebi said, pointing to the UAE’s stability, economic growth and appeal to international businesses.

He added that the country is increasingly becoming a hub for firms seeking to establish operations and manage investments across the wider region, rather than using it merely as a destination for capital.

Aldar’s business expansion

Al Dhiyebi explained that Aldar has moved beyond residential development into asset management and other income‑generating areas such as logistics, private credit, commercial offices, retail and hospitality.

The group has also set up platforms in London and Egypt and is looking for ways to link its various businesses.

He said this diversified approach lets Aldar serve customers in multiple sectors, from providing housing for office tenants’ employees to offering retail, hotel and logistics facilities.

Financial performance and education growth

Aldar’s development sales backlog amounted to Dh71.6 billion at the end of June, giving a view of revenue expected to be recognised over the next two to three years.

The company posted an 18 percent rise in first‑half net profit to Dh4.9 billion, even as it took a measured stance on launching new projects amid uncertain market conditions.

UAE development sales dropped 61 percent year on year in the second quarter.

Al Dhiyebi noted that sales activity began to pick up again in April, with new launches in Abu Dhabi and further projects planned for Dubai.

He cautioned that development sales and recognised income do not always move together, because revenue is recognised over time as projects are completed and handed over.

He also pointed to rising pupil numbers across Aldar’s education network as a sign of continuing family demand, saying the group’s schools saw a 10 percent increase in enrolment this year to nearly 40,000 across owned and managed institutions.

UAE’s supply chain resilience strategy

Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, said the shifting global landscape has led the UAE to rethink its economic priorities, giving greater weight to supply security, domestic production and resilience.

“The war has changed the economy. It is not going to be the same,” he said, explaining that businesses could no longer focus solely on finding the cheapest and fastest routes for goods.

Instead, the priority is to guarantee reliable access to essential goods and keep supplies flowing during future disruptions.

He outlined five economic clusters the UAE is developing: food and food processing, space and defense, tourism, financial services, and data‑related industries, aiming to bring firms together and exploit the complementary strengths of the different emirates.

Using the food and food processing sector as an example, he noted that during the recent disruption 18 factories and companies in the cluster met daily to help ensure food continued to enter the country.

Because the UAE imports more than 90 percent of its food, boosting local production and agricultural investment remains a cornerstone of the long‑term plan.

Bin Touq said the government is seeking to encourage investment in agriculture and food processing, while a Cabinet‑approved policy aims to give locally produced items a dedicated shelf space in supermarkets.

On the issue of rising prices, he stressed the aim of ensuring fair and transparent pricing while balancing consumer affordability with the costs borne by traders and suppliers.

He added that the upcoming agricultural season offers a chance to strengthen local output, and the broader objective is to build an economy that can withstand future shocks while still attracting investment and supporting long‑term growth.