The UAE is striving to enhance its position as a leading global destination in the creative economy, with a future vision and comprehensive strategy aimed at diversifying the national economy.
This strategy seeks to transform the UAE into a preferred destination for innovators, investors, and entrepreneurs from around the world.
The UAE is recognised as one of the leading countries in the creative economy, both regionally and globally, and is expected to continue to enhance its role in developing this sector.
This is due to the competitive infrastructure provided by the country, which encourages investment in innovation and creativity, alongside ongoing efforts to support cultural and creative industries as a key contributor to economic diversification.
The creative economy also constitutes a fundamental pillar in the UAE’s growth and development strategy over the next 50 years.
It is one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in the world, contributing more than 6.1 percent to global GDP and generating annual revenues exceeding $2 trillion.
In recent years, the UAE has launched numerous programmes and initiatives to support the creative economy, promote innovation, and invest in creative projects.
The most prominent of these is the National Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries, which represents a significant step forward in the path of the creative economy.
The national strategy aims to increase the size of the sector and enhance its capabilities, positioning it among the top 10 economic industries in the country.
It also aims to raise the contribution of cultural and creative industries to five percent of GDP over the next decade, increase the number of establishments and companies operating in this sector, and create more jobs.
In this context, the UAE benefits from 22 free zones spread across the Emirates, attracting creative and talented individuals.
In Abu Dhabi, the creative economy and cultural industries are considered major catalysts for economic growth and diversification.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi launched the Abu Dhabi Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries as part of a five-year cultural agenda that aims to foster an environment conducive to the flourishing of cultural and creative industries through strategic investments exceeding Dh30 billion.
Establishing strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors, across domains such as culture, education, media, and entertainment, has always been integral to Abu Dhabi’s efforts to create a self-sufficient creative and cultural ecosystem.
Collaboration with major international institutions such as the Solomon R. Guggenheim, Berklee College of Music, Columbia University, UNESCO, and the Getty Institute, complements partnerships with leading global companies such as Disney, Unity Technologies, Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros., and CNN, opening new horizons across closely related cultural and creative industries.
All emirates are working to support and enhance the creative economy in line with the country’s strategy, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to supporting creative innovation in the future.
ALETIHAD
