Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven Emirates. As the nation’s capital, the country’s Presidential Place, the UAE Cabinet, UAE federal ministries and authorities as well as embassies of more than a hundred foreign nations are based in the city. Home to more than 2.8 million residents thriving in the city’s solid economy, impressive infrastructure and businessfriendly environment as well as a carefully planned future guided by economic growth, innovation and prosperity, Abu Dhabi is also a famous destination to investors and entrepreneurs.

The city’s grandeur, nestled across its 200 islands that offer a rich and pristine coastline stretching to 700 kilometers, its iconic landmarks, cultural sites and internationally acclaimed events in the city, Abu Dhabi is a natural spectacle for the growing millions of tourists that visit the city annually.

Building on Abu Dhabi’s hydrocarbon-centered progress over the decades, the city has a clear roadmap towards a more diversified economy. The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, honed by the UAE Centennial Vision 2071, articulates the city’s development plans for the future. This vision has offered inspiration to the introduction of several other strategies - all of which are driving growth and demand in investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi.

Dubai is the second largest Emirate, and plays host to the mega event, World Expo 2020 – the first ever in the region. This vibrant metropolitan city is home to more than 2.5 million people, and is certainly the birthplace of a number of the ‘world’s first, best and many other superlative classifications’, such as the world’s busiest airport, world’s tallest building, the world’s first state cryptocurrency, Emcash launched, the world’s first fully 3D-printed office building, the world’s first Smart Police Station (SPS) – to name a few global distinctions received. And with its reputation as the city of the future, Dubai is set to conquering more international laurels.

Sharjah is the third largest of the Emirates, in terms of both its geographical area and contribution to the UAE GDP. The city is deeply rooted in the teachings and philosophy of Islam, where the traditional Arab heritage and culture are highly valued. Renowned for preserving its rich cultural heritage and Islamic values, while also prominently seizing opportunities the future reveals, Sharjah is a global icon for exemplifying the best possible nexus of both the purity of the past and the ambitions of the future.

A strategic location for investors, Sharjah is the only Emirate that lies on both coasts: the Arabian Gulf in the west and the Gulf of Oman (Indian Ocean) in the east. Three of the best deep-water harbours in the UAE are located in Sharjah:

Ajman is the smallest of the seven Emirates, and is comprised of a mainland located on the coast of the Arabian Gulf, the Al Manama area in the east known for its fresh water and landforms rich in chromate and magnesium, and last, but certainly not the least, is the very scenic Masfout district nestled in the south of the UAE. As with other Emirates, Ajman is proud of its rich culture and heritage, and its warm Arabian hospitality.

The size of Ajman was never a hindrance to its own development: the city’s economic growth over the past few years is largely credited to the city’s leadership and planning, as well as to its open economy approach, ensuring economic resilience through well-diversified sectors of business activities. Ajman’s strategic location and the accomplishments of its two main economic drivers – the Ajman Port and the Ajman Free Zone – remain the most important elements of Ajman’s notable milestones of achievements.

The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is the fourth largest Emirate and another splendor for business and quality of life. Located at the northern part of the country, Ras Al Khaimah has an impressive landscape matched by world-class facilities enticing tourists and nature enthusiasts from around the world.

As well as its geographical share, Ras Al Khaimah is the fourth among the seven Emirates in terms of its contribution to the GDP of the UAE. With a growth rate of 3.1% in 2016, the GDP of Ras Al Khaimah reached USD 9.6 billion (AED 35.1 billion) in 2016.

Exemplifying the national economic diversification of the UAE, the contribution of non-oil sectors to the GDP of Ras Al Khaimah stood remarkably at 97.1% in 2015, steering nearly 8% increase in investment volume during the same period.

Fujairah is located on the east cost of the UAE, and is the country’s solitary gateway to the Indian Ocean. The strategic location of Fujairah makes it a prominent choice for trade and investment, given its direct access to and facilitation of the buoyant maritime trade and navigation in the Indian Ocean.

Its position, just about 70 nautical miles south of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important chokepoints deemed critical to global energy security, also provides Fujairah a strategic advantage.

It is no wonder then that the establishment of the Port of Fujairah - one of the few natural deep water ports - and the reputation it has built in just over three decades are of paramount significance to the economic growth of Fujairah, transforming the Emirate into a strategic energy hub.

Umm Al Quwain is the least populated Emirate in the UAE. The second smallest of the seven Emirates, and located between Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain is truly a gem characterized by raw facets of nature, culture and heritage.

Amidst the rapid modernization of the UAE and the diversification of the nation’s economy, Umm Al Quwain has kept a fascinating harmony between globalization and staying true to its roots: to this day, the Emirate remains the main fishing hub of the country, while also opening its doors to foreign investors interested in accelerating the development growth of the Emirate, and in helping shape the future of Umm Al Quwain, as partners.

As well as generating a significant portion of its GDP from fishing, including by exporting seafood throughout Europe and the Middle East, the Government of Umm Quwain introduced several policies to improve its trade and investment ecosystem, incentivizing entrepreneurs and investors to join the Emirate in its bid to acquiring a stronger and more diversified economy.