The inaugural Abu Dhabi Business Week, set for December, will spotlight new investment opportunities and strengthen collaboration between public and private sectors to accelerate Abu Dhabi’s economic growth and diversification. The three-day event, held from December 4 to 6 under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, will host over 150 speakers and welcome 8,000 attendees, including policymakers, business leaders, international investors, and entrepreneurs, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office.
“Abu Dhabi Business Week will serve as a platform for businesses to connect and collaborate, driving the next phase of growth and diversification within our dynamic economy,” said Ahmed Al Zaabi, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He emphasized that “supported by our multidimensional sustainable development strategies and a focus on new, high-growth sectors, Abu Dhabi’s business-friendly ecosystem offers promising opportunities for investors, businesses, and talents to thrive and expand on a global scale.”
Abu Dhabi’s economy grew by 4.1 percent in the second quarter of this year, buoyed by non-oil sector contributions. Economic output reached a record Dh297 billion ($80.87 billion) for the quarter, with non-oil sector growth climbing to 6.6 percent, contributing Dh164.2 billion and bringing its share of the economy to over 55.2 percent—the highest since 2014.
In addition to investment and public-private partnerships, Abu Dhabi Business Week will feature discussions on innovation, procurement, women’s empowerment, family business, and entrepreneurship. The UAE capital, home to major funds such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Mubadala Investment Company, and ADQ, was recently named the world’s leading city for sovereign wealth fund (SWF) capital, managing $1.67 trillion in assets, per a report by Global SWF.
