Abu Dhabi to Host Inaugural Business Week Highlighting Economic Growth and Innovation

The inaugural Abu Dhabi Business Week (ADBW) is set to launch at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from December 4 to 6, marking a milestone in the emirate’s efforts to boost its economic presence on the global stage. Known as the “world’s richest city” with $1.7 trillion in sovereign wealth assets, Abu Dhabi aims to leverage its status as an economic powerhouse to foster growth, collaboration, and investment at ADBW.

Held under the theme “Deliver Value. Create Impact,” the event will gather over 150 prominent speakers and is expected to attract more than 8,000 attendees, including policymakers, business executives, international investors, and entrepreneurs. The weeklong event will focus on creating strategic partnerships and exploring opportunities in sectors driving sustainable economic development. The conference comes on the heels of Abu Dhabi’s first-place ranking for ease of doing business in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), reaffirming its status as a premier hub for global business.

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI), emphasized the emirate’s commitment to non-oil sector growth. “Abu Dhabi’s business-friendly ecosystem offers promising opportunities for investors, businesses, and talent to thrive on a global scale,” Al Zaabi said, highlighting the city’s shift towards economic diversification. “These strategies are supercharging the non-oil sectors, which now account for over 55 percent of Abu Dhabi’s GDP, following a growth of 6.6 percent in Q2 2024. Over the past decade, the issuance of economic licenses surged by 196 percent, underscoring Abu Dhabi’s supportive economic landscape,” he added.

ADBW’s 10 specialized events will cover a wide range of key topics, including the Abu Dhabi Business Forum, which will address global investment dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and public-private partnerships. Other events will focus on areas like innovation, procurement, women’s empowerment, family business, youth engagement, and entrepreneurship.

The event will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and is hosted by ADCCI in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).

With a reputation for its stability and strong sovereign credit rating, Abu Dhabi offers a secure and attractive climate for investors. ADBW’s inaugural edition aims to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a premier destination for business and investment, and organizers expect that it will be a critical driver of growth in the emirate’s non-oil economy.