The Executive Council of Dubai, led by Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has greenlit various initiatives and strategies focused on empowering communities, fostering trade and investment, improving economic performance metrics, and protecting the workforce.
This initiative comes at a crucial time as countries globally grapple with supply chain disruptions stemming from the ongoing international conflicts in West Asia involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
Set to launch on April 1, the initiative aims to alleviate financial strains on businesses and individuals across multiple sectors.
Among the measures, the deferral of government fee payments for three months and the ability for hotels to delay the payment of 100% of sales fees and the Tourism Dirham for three months are expected to enhance liquidity within the hospitality and tourism industries.
A comprehensive economic incentive package, totaling AED 1 billion, will be rolled out over three to six months starting April 1, 2026.
Moreover, the country will simplify the process for issuing and renewing residency permits to facilitate the presence of talent in Dubai.
“Dubai has established itself as a beacon of credibility, transparency, and trust for businesses and investors globally, and stands prepared to face any challenge through the resolve of its people and the strength of its cohesive society,” stated Sheikh Hamdan, who also serves as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE.
He highlighted that the Executive Council has sanctioned five pivotal projects and initiatives: AED 1 billion in economic incentives for the broader Dubai community; indicators showcasing Dubai’s economic growth for the fourth quarter of 2025, along with an updated methodology for calculating the emirate’s GDP; the Virtual Warehouses Initiative; the Dubai Empowerment Strategy; and the Health and Safety Strategy for Workers’ Accommodation.
These measures exemplify Dubai’s dedication to providing tangible support to individuals, families, and enterprises.
The Health and Safety Strategy for Workers’ Accommodations initiative represents a significant advancement in enhancing living and working conditions for workers throughout Dubai.
This strategy aims for 100% access to essential services for workers and full compliance of workers’ accommodations with health and safety standards.
This initiative supports the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and adheres to International Labour Organization (ILO) standards, demonstrating Dubai’s commitment to worker welfare and sustainable urban development.
Additionally, the Executive Council has confirmed Dubai’s economic performance for the fourth quarter of 2025, which reported a growth rate of 6.4%.
Over the year, Dubai’s GDP expanded by 5.4%, reaching AED 937 billion.
Furthermore, the Council has approved a comprehensive overhaul of the methodology for calculating Dubai’s GDP.
The revised approach broadens the scope of economic surveys, enhances statistical coverage to accurately represent all economic activities, and introduces more extensive databases that better reflect actual performance.
The Virtual Warehouses Initiative, also approved by the Executive Council, will streamline the process for temporary imports into Dubai, ensuring the seamless flow of goods, including artwork.
Under the new temporary admission declaration, this program exempts artwork imports from customs duties and financial guarantees, while also suspending duties on private artworks for three years.
Additionally, it eliminates geographical restrictions, simplifies the process for time extensions, and introduces virtual representations of artworks for continuous tracking.
This initiative not only facilitates the entry of high-value artworks but also solidifies Dubai’s position as a premier global hub in this domain, providing specialized solutions tailored for high-net-worth individuals.
