UAE Encyclopedia
An A-Z reference covering every institution, programme, term, and concept in the UAE national development landscape — the definitive glossary for understanding the federation.
A
Abraham Accords: Definition and UAE Context
The Abraham Accords are the 2020 normalization agreements between the UAE, Israel, and other Arab states, establishing full diplomatic and economic relations.
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development: Definition and UAE Context
The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) is a national foreign-aid institution that provides concessional loans, grants, and investments to developing countries on behalf of the UAE.
Abu Dhabi Metro: Definition and UAE Context
The Abu Dhabi Metro is a planned urban rail transit system designed to provide mass transit connectivity across the UAE capital and its surrounding areas.
Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX): Definition and UAE Context
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) is the official stock exchange of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, listing equities, bonds, ETFs, and other financial instruments.
Abu Dhabi: Definition, Economy, and UAE Context
Abu Dhabi is the capital and largest emirate of the UAE, serving as the nation's political center and primary holder of hydrocarbon wealth.
ADCB: Definition and UAE Context
ADCB (Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank) is one of the UAE's largest banks, providing retail, corporate, and Islamic banking services following its 2019 merger with Union National Bank.
ADGM: Definition and UAE Context
ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) is an international financial free zone on Al Maryah Island operating under an independent English common-law jurisdiction.
ADIA: Definition and UAE Context
ADIA (Abu Dhabi Investment Authority) is one of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds, managing Abu Dhabi's surplus oil revenues across global asset classes.
ADNOC: Definition and UAE Context
ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) is the UAE's state-owned oil and gas conglomerate and one of the world's largest energy producers by reserves and output.
ADWEA (EWEC): Definition and UAE Context
EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company), formerly ADWEA, is Abu Dhabi's entity responsible for planning, purchasing, and managing electricity and water production capacity.
AgriTech: Definition and UAE Context
AgriTech applies technology to agriculture, including precision farming, vertical farming, and water-efficient systems critical to UAE food security.
AI Strategy: Definition and UAE Context
An AI strategy is a national or organizational roadmap for developing, deploying, and governing artificial intelligence to achieve economic and social objectives.
Air Arabia: Definition and UAE Context
Air Arabia is the UAE's first and largest low-cost carrier, headquartered in Sharjah and serving over 200 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Al Ain: Definition and UAE Context
Al Ain is the UAE's largest inland city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as the Garden City for its oasis heritage, agricultural traditions, and cultural significance.
Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC): Definition and UAE Context
Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is Dubai's second international airport, located in Dubai South and planned to become the world's largest airport by passenger capacity.
Artificial Intelligence: Definition, Role & UAE Context
Artificial intelligence is the development of computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human cognition, including learning, reasoning, and decision-making.
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Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant: Definition and UAE Context
Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant is the UAE's first nuclear power station and the Arab world's first multi-unit commercial nuclear facility, located in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region.
Blockchain: Definition and UAE Context
Blockchain is a distributed digital ledger technology that records transactions across multiple nodes, providing transparency, security, and immutability.
Blockchain: Definition, Role & UAE Context
Blockchain is a distributed digital ledger technology that records transactions across decentralized nodes, providing transparency, security, and data immutability.
Branch Office: Definition and UAE Context
A branch office in the UAE is an extension of a foreign parent company that can conduct business on the mainland while remaining legally part of the parent entity.
Brent Crude: Definition and UAE Context
Brent Crude is an international benchmark for oil pricing, used alongside Murban Crude to determine the value of UAE crude oil exports.
BRICS UAE Membership: Definition and Context
The UAE joined BRICS in January 2024 as part of the bloc's first expansion, reflecting its strategic pivot toward multipolar economic and diplomatic engagement.
Burj Khalifa: Definition and UAE Context
The Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest building, a 828-metre supertall skyscraper in Dubai that serves as the centrepiece of the Downtown Dubai development.
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Carbon Capture: Definition and UAE Context
Carbon capture refers to technologies that trap CO2 emissions from industrial sources or the atmosphere and store or utilise them to prevent atmospheric release.
CEPA: Definition and UAE Context
CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) is the UAE's preferred bilateral trade deal format, reducing tariffs and expanding market access with strategic partners.
CleanTech: Definition and UAE Context
CleanTech encompasses technologies and business models that reduce environmental impact, including renewable energy, water treatment, and waste management.
Commercial Companies Law: Definition and UAE Context
The UAE Commercial Companies Law is the primary federal legislation governing the formation, structure, governance, and dissolution of business entities in the UAE.
COP28: Definition and UAE Context
COP28 was the 28th UN Climate Change Conference hosted by the UAE in Dubai in 2023, producing a landmark agreement to transition away from fossil fuels.
Corporate Tax UAE: Definition and Context
UAE Corporate Tax is a 9 percent federal tax on business profits exceeding AED 375,000, introduced in June 2023 as part of the country's fiscal modernisation.
Crown Prince Court: Definition and UAE Context
The Crown Prince Court is the executive office of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, serving as a major centre for strategic planning and policy development in the UAE.
Crude Oil Benchmark: Definition, Role & UAE Context
A crude oil benchmark is a standardized reference price used to trade and value crude oil globally, with the UAE's Murban grade serving as a key Middle Eastern benchmark.
D
D33 Economic Agenda: Definition and UAE Context
The D33 Economic Agenda is Dubai's plan to double the size of its economy and position the emirate among the top three global economic cities by 2033.
DAMAC Properties: Definition and UAE Context
DAMAC Properties is a Dubai-headquartered luxury real estate developer known for branded residences, hospitality partnerships with global fashion houses, and large-scale master communities across the UAE and international markets.
Darb (Abu Dhabi Toll System): Definition and UAE Context
Darb is Abu Dhabi's electronic road toll system that automatically charges vehicles at designated toll gates across the capital emirate's major road network.
Department of Transport Abu Dhabi: Definition and UAE Context
The Department of Transport Abu Dhabi is the government authority responsible for planning, regulating, and managing all surface transport, maritime, and freight logistics across the capital emirate.
DEWA: Definition and UAE Context
DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) is Dubai's sole provider of electricity and water services, operating power generation, desalination, and distribution infrastructure.
DIFC: Definition and UAE Context
DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) is a federal financial free zone in Dubai operating under an independent common-law legal and regulatory framework.
Digital Twin: Definition, Role & UAE Context
A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical asset, system, or process that uses real-time data to simulate performance and optimize operations.
DMCC: Definition and UAE Context
DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) is a government-established free zone and the world's largest commodities trading hub by number of registered companies.
Dollar Peg: Definition and UAE Context
A dollar peg is a fixed exchange rate regime in which a country's currency is tied to the US dollar, as the UAE dirham has been since 1997.
Downstream Oil: Definition and UAE Context
Downstream oil refers to refining, processing, and distribution of petroleum products, with the UAE's Ruwais complex as a major regional hub.
DP World: Definition and UAE Context
DP World is a Dubai-based multinational logistics and port operator managing over 80 marine and inland terminals across six continents.
Dual Licensing: Definition and UAE Context
Dual licensing in the UAE allows businesses to hold licences in both a free zone and on the mainland, enabling operations across both jurisdictions simultaneously.
Dubai Creek: Definition and UAE Context
Dubai Creek is a natural saltwater inlet that historically served as the commercial heart of Dubai, enabling the pearling, fishing, and trading industries that built the city.
Dubai Expo City: Definition and UAE Context
Dubai Expo City is the legacy district developed from the Expo 2020 site, repurposed as a permanent hub for innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration.
Dubai Financial Market (DFM): Definition and UAE Context
The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) is the official stock exchange of Dubai, providing a regulated platform for trading equities, sukuk, bonds, and other securities.
Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX): Definition and UAE Context
The Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) is the Middle East's leading derivatives exchange, offering futures and options on precious metals, currencies, and hydrocarbons.
Dubai Gold Souk: Definition and UAE Context
The Dubai Gold Souk is the world's largest gold bazaar, a historic open-air market in Deira featuring hundreds of retailers selling gold jewellery, precious stones, and bullion.
Dubai International Airport (DXB): Definition and UAE Context
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the world's busiest airport by international passenger traffic, serving as the primary hub for Emirates Airline and the gateway to Dubai's tourism and trade economy.
Dubai Islamic Bank: Definition and UAE Context
Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) is the world's first full-service Islamic bank, established in 1975, offering Sharia-compliant retail, corporate, and investment banking across the UAE and international markets.
Dubai Knowledge Park: Definition and UAE Context
Dubai Knowledge Park is a free zone dedicated to human resource management, education, training, and professional development companies operating in the UAE and broader Middle East.
Dubai Logistics City: Definition and UAE Context
Dubai Logistics City is a dedicated logistics district within Dubai South designed to serve as a multimodal freight and supply chain management hub.
Dubai Mall: Definition and UAE Context
The Dubai Mall is one of the world's largest shopping and entertainment destinations, located in Downtown Dubai adjacent to the Burj Khalifa.
Dubai Marina: Definition and UAE Context
Dubai Marina is a purpose-built waterfront district featuring the world's largest man-made marina, over 200 residential towers, and a vibrant retail and hospitality ecosystem along a 3.5-kilometre canal.
Dubai Metro: Definition and UAE Context
The Dubai Metro is a driverless, fully automated urban rail system serving Dubai with two main lines and over 50 stations across the emirate.
Dubai Now App: Definition and UAE Context
Dubai Now is the official smart services application of the Dubai government, offering residents and visitors access to over 130 city services from a single mobile platform.
Dubai South: Definition and UAE Context
Dubai South is a master-planned economic zone surrounding Al Maktoum International Airport, designed to become a city within a city supporting aviation, logistics, and commercial activity.
Dubai Tram: Definition and UAE Context
The Dubai Tram is a light rail system serving the Dubai Marina and JBR waterfront district, integrated with the Dubai Metro and Palm Monorail.
Dubai: Definition, Economy, and UAE Context
Dubai is the UAE's most populous emirate and a global hub for trade, tourism, finance, and logistics in the Middle East.
E
ECSSR: Definition and UAE Context
ECSSR (Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research) is the UAE's premier policy research institute, producing analysis on security, energy, economic, and geopolitical issues.
EDGE Group: Definition and UAE Context
EDGE Group is the UAE's advanced technology and defense conglomerate, consolidating over 25 entities into five clusters focused on defense, autonomous systems, cyber, and electronic warfare.
EdTech: Definition and UAE Context
EdTech (educational technology) uses digital tools and platforms to enhance teaching, learning, and educational administration across all levels of education.
EGA (Emirates Global Aluminium): Definition and UAE Context
EGA (Emirates Global Aluminium) is the world's largest premium aluminium producer and the UAE's biggest industrial company outside the oil and gas sector.
Emaar Properties: Definition and UAE Context
Emaar Properties is a Dubai-based real estate development company and the developer of Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and the Downtown Dubai master community.
Emirates Airline: Definition and UAE Context
Emirates is a Dubai-based international airline and the world's largest long-haul carrier, operating a fleet of wide-body aircraft to over 150 destinations from its hub at Dubai International Airport.
Emirates Mars Mission: Definition and UAE Context
The Emirates Mars Mission (Hope Probe) is the UAE's interplanetary space mission that placed an orbiter around Mars to study its atmosphere and climate dynamics.
Emirates NBD: Definition and UAE Context
Emirates NBD is Dubai's largest banking group and one of the top banks in the Middle East, offering retail, corporate, Islamic, and investment banking services across multiple markets.
Emirates Post Group: Definition and UAE Context
Emirates Post Group is the UAE's national postal and logistics operator, providing mail delivery, e-commerce fulfillment, and digital services across the country and internationally.
Emirates Red Crescent: Definition and UAE Context
The Emirates Red Crescent Authority is the UAE's national humanitarian organisation, delivering disaster relief, social welfare, and development aid domestically and internationally.
Emirates Steel: Definition and UAE Context
Emirates Steel Arkan is the UAE's largest integrated steel and building materials manufacturer, producing steel products for construction and industrial applications domestically and internationally.
Emiratisation: Definition and UAE Context
Emiratisation is the UAE's national workforce policy mandating private-sector employment quotas for Emirati citizens to reduce dependence on expatriate labor.
Emiratisation: Definition, Role & UAE Context
Emiratisation is the UAE's national workforce policy requiring private-sector companies to meet mandatory hiring quotas for Emirati citizens.
Energy Transition: Definition, Role & UAE Context
Energy transition is the global shift from fossil fuel-based energy systems to renewable and low-carbon sources, a process the UAE is actively shaping through strategic investments.
Etihad Rail: Definition and UAE Context
Etihad Rail is the UAE's national railway network connecting all seven emirates through a 900-kilometer freight and passenger rail system.
Expo 2020 Dubai: Definition and UAE Context
Expo 2020 Dubai was the first World Expo held in the Middle East, running from October 2021 to March 2022, attracting over 24 million visits to a purpose-built district.
Expo City Dubai: Definition and UAE Context
Expo City Dubai is the repurposed legacy district of Expo 2020, transformed into a permanent innovation and sustainability-focused urban destination within Dubai South.
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FAB (First Abu Dhabi Bank): Definition and UAE Context
FAB (First Abu Dhabi Bank) is the UAE's largest bank by assets, formed from the 2017 merger of National Bank of Abu Dhabi and First Gulf Bank, providing retail, corporate, and investment banking services.
FATF Compliance: Definition and UAE Context
FATF compliance refers to a country's adherence to the Financial Action Task Force standards on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism.
FDI Law: Definition and UAE Context
The UAE's FDI Law allows 100 percent foreign ownership of companies outside free zones, removing the historic requirement for a majority Emirati partner.
Federal National Council: Definition and UAE Context
The Federal National Council (FNC) is the UAE's parliamentary advisory body, composed of 40 members who review legislation and represent citizen interests at the federal level.
Federal Supreme Council: Definition and UAE Context
The Federal Supreme Council is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE, comprising the rulers of all seven emirates who collectively set national policy.
Federal Tax Authority (FTA): Definition and UAE Context
The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) is the UAE government agency responsible for administering and collecting federal taxes including VAT and corporate tax.
Fintech: Definition and UAE Context
Fintech refers to technology-driven innovation in financial services, encompassing digital payments, lending platforms, robo-advisory, and blockchain-based finance.
Fintech: Definition, Role & UAE Context
Fintech refers to technology-driven innovation in financial services, encompassing digital payments, lending platforms, blockchain finance, and robo-advisory.
Forward Diplomacy: Definition and UAE Context
Forward Diplomacy is the third pillar of the We the UAE 2031 national vision, covering global partnerships, humanitarian leadership, and environmental sustainability.
Forward Economy: Definition and UAE Context
Forward Economy is the second pillar of the We the UAE 2031 national vision, targeting economic competitiveness, human capital development, and innovation leadership.
Forward Ecosystem: Definition and UAE Context
Forward Ecosystem is the fourth pillar of the We the UAE 2031 national vision, covering smart government, security, rule of law, and advanced infrastructure.
Forward Society: Definition and UAE Context
Forward Society is the first pillar of the We the UAE 2031 national vision, focusing on social empowerment, national identity, education, and healthcare.
Free Zone Company: Definition, Role & UAE Context
A free zone company is a business entity registered within a UAE free zone, offering 100% foreign ownership, tax incentives, and simplified regulatory procedures.
Free Zone: Definition and UAE Context
A UAE free zone is a designated economic area offering 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax, full profit repatriation, and streamlined business licensing.
Freelancer Visa: Definition, Role & UAE Context
The UAE Freelancer Visa is a residency permit enabling independent professionals to live and work in the UAE without a traditional employer sponsor.
Fujairah Port: Definition and UAE Context
Fujairah Port is the UAE's only major commercial port on the Gulf of Oman, serving as a critical oil storage and bunkering hub outside the Strait of Hormuz.
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GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council): Definition and UAE Context
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a regional political and economic alliance of six Arab states in the Persian Gulf, of which the UAE is a founding member.
GDP Diversification: Definition and UAE Context
GDP diversification is the strategic process of expanding a nation's economic output across multiple sectors to reduce dependence on a single revenue source.
Global Village: Definition and UAE Context
Global Village is a multicultural entertainment and shopping destination in Dubai that brings together pavilions from over 90 countries during its annual season.
Golden Visa: Definition and UAE Context
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency permit granting 5- or 10-year renewable visas to investors, entrepreneurs, specialized talents, and outstanding students.
Golden Visa: Definition, Role & UAE Context
The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residency permit granting 5- or 10-year renewable visas to investors, entrepreneurs, and specialized talent.
Green Hydrogen: Definition and UAE Context
Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced through electrolysis powered by renewable energy, generating zero carbon emissions during production.
Green Visa: Definition, Role & UAE Context
The UAE Green Visa is a self-sponsored residency permit allowing skilled workers, freelancers, and investors to reside independently without employer sponsorship.
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Hamriyah Free Zone: Definition and UAE Context
Hamriyah Free Zone is a heavy-industry and manufacturing free zone in Sharjah, offering deep-water port access and cost-competitive facilities for industrial enterprises.
Happiness Index: Definition and UAE Context
The Happiness Index in the UAE context refers to the national programme measuring citizen and resident satisfaction with government services and quality of life.
Hawala: Definition and UAE Context
Hawala is an informal value transfer system based on trust networks, historically used across the Middle East and South Asia for cross-border remittances.
HealthTech: Definition and UAE Context
HealthTech applies digital technology to healthcare delivery, including telemedicine, AI diagnostics, wearable devices, and electronic health records.
Higher Colleges of Technology: Definition and UAE Context
The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) is the largest applied higher-education system in the UAE, offering career-oriented diplomas and degrees to Emirati nationals across 16 campuses.
Hub71: Definition and UAE Context
Hub71 is Abu Dhabi's global technology ecosystem offering incentives, co-working space, and venture capital access to attract startups and scale-ups.
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ICA (Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship): Definition and UAE Context
ICA is the UAE's Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, responsible for national identity systems, residency permits, and border management.
ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs): Definition and UAE Context
ICP is the UAE federal authority responsible for managing identity systems, citizenship affairs, customs regulation, and port security across the country.
Ijara: Definition and UAE Context
Ijara is a Sharia-compliant leasing contract in which a financial institution purchases an asset and leases it to a client for an agreed rental payment.
In-Country Value (ICV): Definition and UAE Context
In-Country Value (ICV) is a UAE procurement framework measuring the economic contribution retained within the national economy from government and ADNOC contracts.
Industrial License: Definition and UAE Context
An industrial licence in the UAE authorises manufacturing, processing, and production activities, issued by the relevant DED or free zone authority with environmental approvals.
Islamic Banking: Definition and UAE Context
Islamic banking is a financial system operating in accordance with Islamic law (Sharia), prohibiting interest and emphasizing asset-backed, risk-sharing transactions.
J
JAFZA: Definition and UAE Context
JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone) is the UAE's largest and oldest free zone, located adjacent to Jebel Ali Port and serving as a global logistics and manufacturing hub.
Jebel Ali Port: Definition and UAE Context
Jebel Ali Port is the largest port in the Middle East and one of the world's top container ports, operated by DP World and serving as the backbone of Dubai's trade economy.
Jebel Ali: Definition and UAE Context
Jebel Ali is a major industrial and port district in Dubai, home to the largest port in the Middle East and one of the UAE's most significant free-zone clusters.
Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR): Definition and UAE Context
Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) is a beachfront community of 40 residential towers along a 1.7-kilometre public beach in Dubai Marina, featuring The Walk outdoor retail promenade and The Beach lifestyle destination.
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Kafala System: Definition, Role & UAE Context
The Kafala system is the Gulf-region sponsorship framework that historically tied foreign workers' legal status to their employer-sponsor.
Khalifa Fund: Definition and UAE Context
The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development is an Abu Dhabi government initiative that provides financing, training, and support to Emirati entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Khalifa Port: Definition and UAE Context
Khalifa Port is Abu Dhabi's flagship deep-water commercial port, integrated with KIZAD industrial zone and serving as the capital's primary maritime trade gateway.
Khalifa University: Definition and UAE Context
Khalifa University is the UAE's top-ranked research university, focused on science, technology, and engineering to support national innovation and knowledge-economy goals.
KIZAD: Definition and UAE Context
KIZAD (Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi) is a major integrated industrial free zone adjacent to Khalifa Port, designed for manufacturing, logistics, and trade.
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Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG): Definition, Role & UAE Context
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is natural gas cooled to liquid form for transport, and the UAE is expanding its LNG export capacity as a global energy supplier.
LLC (Limited Liability Company): Definition and UAE Context
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is the most common business structure in the UAE mainland, offering liability protection with flexible ownership arrangements.
Louvre Abu Dhabi: Definition and UAE Context
Louvre Abu Dhabi is the first universal museum in the Arab world, showcasing art and artefacts spanning civilisations under a landmark dome designed by Jean Nouvel.
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Mainland Company: Definition, Role & UAE Context
A mainland company in the UAE is a business entity licensed by an emirate's Department of Economic Development to operate anywhere within the country.
MarTech: Definition and UAE Context
MarTech (marketing technology) encompasses digital tools and platforms that automate, optimize, and analyze marketing activities and customer engagement.
Masdar City: Definition and UAE Context
Masdar City is a planned sustainable urban development in Abu Dhabi designed as a global hub for clean energy innovation and low-carbon living.
Mashreq Bank: Definition and UAE Context
Mashreq Bank is one of the UAE's oldest and largest private sector banks, offering retail, corporate, and digital banking services with a reputation for technology-driven innovation.
Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP): Definition and UAE Context
MOHAP is the UAE's federal ministry responsible for national health policy, public health regulation, disease prevention, and pharmaceutical oversight.
MOE (Ministry of Education): Definition and UAE Context
MOE is the UAE Ministry of Education, the federal authority overseeing public and private education policy, curriculum standards, and higher education across the emirates.
Mohammed bin Rashid Fund: Definition and UAE Context
The Mohammed bin Rashid Fund for SME Development is Dubai's government-backed initiative providing financing, mentorship, and support to entrepreneurs and small businesses.
MOHAP (Ministry of Health): Definition and UAE Context
MOHAP is the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, the federal body responsible for public health policy, healthcare regulation, and disease prevention across the emirates.
Mubadala: Definition and UAE Context
Mubadala Investment Company is Abu Dhabi's strategic sovereign investor, deploying capital into technology, aerospace, healthcare, and energy across 50+ countries.
Murabaha: Definition and UAE Context
Murabaha is a Sharia-compliant cost-plus financing arrangement in which a bank purchases an asset and resells it to a client at a disclosed markup.
Murban Crude: Definition and UAE Context
Murban Crude is the UAE's primary crude oil grade and benchmark, produced by ADNOC from onshore fields in Abu Dhabi.
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Nafis: Definition and UAE Context
Nafis is a UAE federal program providing financial incentives, training, and career support to accelerate Emirati employment in the private sector.
Nakheel: Definition and UAE Context
Nakheel is a Dubai-based master developer responsible for creating iconic waterfront and land-reclamation projects including Palm Jumeirah, The World Islands, and Deira Islands.
Nasdaq Dubai: Definition and UAE Context
Nasdaq Dubai is an international financial exchange located in the DIFC, specializing in cross-border equity listings, sukuk, derivatives, and REITs.
Natural Gas Reserves: Definition and UAE Context
Natural gas reserves are estimated volumes of recoverable natural gas confirmed by geological data, with the UAE holding the world's seventh largest proven reserves.
Net Zero 2050: Definition and UAE Context
Net Zero 2050 is the UAE's strategic initiative to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, making it the first Gulf state to adopt such a target.
Net Zero: Definition, Role & UAE Context
Net zero is the state where greenhouse gas emissions produced are balanced by an equivalent amount removed from the atmosphere, resulting in no net climate impact.
Nol Card: Definition and UAE Context
The Nol Card is Dubai's unified contactless smart card used to pay for public transport fares across the metro, tram, bus, water bus, and parking services operated by the Roads and Transport Authority.
Non-Oil GDP: Definition and UAE Context
Non-oil GDP measures the total economic output of a country excluding petroleum and natural gas revenues, serving as the UAE's primary diversification benchmark.
NYU Abu Dhabi: Definition and UAE Context
NYU Abu Dhabi is the first comprehensive liberal arts campus established overseas by a major American university, located on Saadiyat Island in the UAE capital.
O
Offshore Company: Definition and UAE Context
An offshore company in the UAE is a legal entity registered in a free zone jurisdiction for international operations, asset holding, and wealth structuring.
Offshore Company: Definition, Role & UAE Context
A UAE offshore company is a legal entity registered in a free zone jurisdiction for international operations, asset holding, and cross-border structuring.
Oil Refinery: Definition, Role & UAE Context
An oil refinery is an industrial facility that converts crude oil into usable petroleum products, and the UAE operates major refining complexes at Ruwais and Jebel Ali.
Oil Reserves: Definition and UAE Context
Oil reserves are estimated quantities of crude oil that geological and engineering data demonstrate to be recoverable from known reservoirs under existing conditions.
Onshore Company: Definition and UAE Context
An onshore company in the UAE is a business entity registered on the mainland under the jurisdiction of an emirate's Department of Economic Development.
OPEC: Definition and UAE Context
OPEC is the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, of which the UAE is a founding member, coordinating oil production and pricing policy.
OPEC+: Definition and UAE Context
OPEC+ is the expanded alliance of OPEC member states and non-OPEC oil producers that coordinates global crude oil production levels to manage market stability.
OPEC+: Definition, Role & UAE Context
OPEC+ is the expanded alliance of OPEC members and non-OPEC oil producers coordinating global crude output, with the UAE serving as a pivotal member shaping production policy.
Operation 300bn: Definition and UAE Context
Operation 300bn is the UAE's national industrial strategy aiming to raise the manufacturing sector's contribution to GDP from AED 133 billion to AED 300 billion by 2031.
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Palm Jumeirah: Definition and UAE Context
The Palm Jumeirah is a man-made archipelago in Dubai shaped like a palm tree, representing one of the largest land-reclamation projects in history.
Petrochemical: Definition, Role & UAE Context
A petrochemical is a chemical product derived from petroleum or natural gas, and the UAE's downstream petrochemical sector is central to its industrial diversification.
Petrochemicals: Definition and UAE Context
Petrochemicals are chemical products derived from petroleum and natural gas, representing a key value-addition strategy in the UAE's downstream energy sector.
Port of Sharjah: Definition and UAE Context
The Port of Sharjah is a multi-purpose commercial port serving the Emirate of Sharjah, handling container, general cargo, and bulk operations across facilities on both UAE coasts.
Professional License (UAE): Definition and UAE Context
A professional licence in the UAE is a government-issued permit authorising individuals and firms to provide professional services, consultancy, and skilled trade activities within a specified jurisdiction.
PropTech: Definition and UAE Context
PropTech (property technology) applies digital innovation to real estate development, transactions, management, and investment to improve efficiency and transparency.
Public-Private Partnership: Definition and UAE Context
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is a contractual arrangement between government entities and private companies to finance, build, and operate public infrastructure and services.
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RAK Ceramics: Definition and UAE Context
RAK Ceramics is a Ras Al Khaimah-based multinational and one of the world's largest ceramics manufacturers, producing tiles, sanitary ware, and tableware for global markets.
RegTech: Definition and UAE Context
RegTech (regulatory technology) uses digital tools to streamline regulatory compliance, risk management, and reporting in financial and government sectors.
Representative Office: Definition and UAE Context
A representative office in the UAE is a foreign company's local liaison entity permitted to promote the parent brand but prohibited from conducting commercial transactions.
Roads and Transport Authority (RTA): Definition and UAE Context
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is the government agency responsible for planning, building, and managing all roads, public transport, and mobility services across the Emirate of Dubai.
Ruler's Court (Diwan): Definition and UAE Context
The Ruler's Court, or Diwan, is the administrative and ceremonial office of each emirate's ruler, serving as the centre of local executive authority in the UAE.
Ruwais Industrial Complex: Definition and UAE Context
The Ruwais Industrial Complex is one of the world's largest integrated refining and petrochemical facilities, operated by ADNOC in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi.
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Saadiyat Island: Definition and UAE Context
Saadiyat Island is Abu Dhabi's cultural district, home to world-class museums, galleries, and institutions that anchor the UAE's arts and heritage strategy.
Salik (Toll System): Definition and UAE Context
Salik is Dubai's electronic road toll system that charges vehicles automatically at designated toll gates across the emirate's major highways.
Sanad Group: Definition and UAE Context
Sanad Group is an Abu Dhabi-based aerospace engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) company and leasing platform serving global airline and military customers.
Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA): Definition and UAE Context
The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) is the UAE's federal regulator responsible for overseeing and developing the country's capital markets.
Sharia Compliance: Definition and UAE Context
Sharia compliance refers to the adherence of financial products, business practices, and governance structures to the principles of Islamic law.
Sharjah: Definition, Economy, and UAE Context
Sharjah is the UAE's third largest emirate, recognized as a cultural capital and education hub with a diversified manufacturing and services economy.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed: Definition and UAE Context
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council, leading the emirate's future strategy.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan: Definition and UAE Context
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the second President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, serving from 2004 until his passing in 2022.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan: Definition and UAE Context
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, leading the nation's strategic direction since May 2022.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum: Definition and UAE Context
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, driving the nation's governance innovation agenda.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan: Definition and UAE Context
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the founding father and first President of the United Arab Emirates, serving from 1971 until his death in 2004.
Smart City: Definition and UAE Context
A smart city uses digital technology, data analytics, and connected infrastructure to improve urban services, sustainability, and quality of life for residents.
Smart City: Definition, Role & UAE Context
A smart city uses digital technology, IoT sensors, and data analytics to optimize urban infrastructure, services, and quality of life for residents.
Smart Government: Definition and UAE Context
Smart Government refers to the UAE's initiative to deliver all government services through digital and mobile platforms, eliminating the need for physical service centres.
Sorbonne Abu Dhabi: Definition and UAE Context
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is a French international branch campus offering bilingual degree programmes in the humanities, sciences, and law in the UAE capital.
Sovereign Wealth Fund: Definition and UAE Context
A sovereign wealth fund is a state-owned investment vehicle that deploys national surplus revenues into global assets, with the UAE operating several of the world's largest.
Sovereign Wealth Fund: Definition, Role & UAE Context
A sovereign wealth fund is a state-owned investment vehicle that manages national surplus revenues across global asset classes to preserve and grow national wealth.
SpaceTech: Definition and UAE Context
SpaceTech encompasses technologies for space exploration, satellite operations, and commercial space applications, an area of strategic UAE investment.
Special Economic Zone: Definition, Role & UAE Context
A special economic zone is a designated geographic area with distinct regulatory and tax frameworks designed to attract foreign investment and promote economic diversification.
Strata Manufacturing: Definition and UAE Context
Strata Manufacturing is an Abu Dhabi-based aerospace composites manufacturer producing advanced aerostructure components for Boeing, Airbus, and other global aerospace companies.
Sukuk: Definition and UAE Context
Sukuk are Sharia-compliant financial certificates functioning as Islamic equivalents of bonds, structured around asset ownership rather than interest-bearing debt.
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Takaful: Definition and UAE Context
Takaful is an Islamic insurance model based on mutual cooperation, where participants contribute to a shared fund that provides coverage against loss or damage.
TAMM (Abu Dhabi Government Services): Definition and UAE Context
TAMM is Abu Dhabi's unified digital government services platform, consolidating hundreds of emirate-level services into a single portal for residents and businesses.
TAQA: Definition and UAE Context
TAQA (Abu Dhabi National Energy Company) is a diversified utilities and energy company owned by the Abu Dhabi government, operating power generation, water desalination, and oil and gas assets globally.
Tawazun Council: Definition and UAE Context
The Tawazun Council is the UAE's defense and security acquisitions authority, responsible for procurement oversight, economic offset programs, and defense industrial development.
Tawteen: Definition and UAE Context
Tawteen is the UAE's national workforce localization platform and strategy designed to increase Emirati participation in the private sector labor market.
Trade License: Definition and UAE Context
A trade licence in the UAE is the mandatory government-issued permit authorising a business entity to conduct specified commercial activities within a defined jurisdiction.
Trade License: Definition, Role & UAE Context
A trade licence is the mandatory government-issued permit authorizing a business to conduct specified commercial activities within a UAE jurisdiction.
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UAE Cabinet: Definition and UAE Context
The UAE Cabinet is the federal executive authority responsible for initiating legislation, managing government affairs, and implementing national policy under the Prime Minister.
UAE Centennial 2071: Definition and Context
UAE Centennial 2071 is the long-range national vision charting the country's strategic direction over five decades to the 100th anniversary of the federation's founding.
UAE Constitution: Definition and Context
The UAE Constitution is the founding legal document that established the federation in 1971 and defines the structure of federal and emirate-level governance.
UAE Dirham (AED): Definition and Context
The UAE dirham (AED) is the official currency of the United Arab Emirates, pegged to the US dollar at a fixed exchange rate since 1997.
UAE Federal System: Definition and Context
The UAE federal system is the governance architecture that divides authority between the central federal government and the seven individual emirates.
UAE Ministry of Education: Definition and UAE Context
The UAE Ministry of Education is the federal authority governing education policy, curriculum standards, school regulation, and higher education oversight across the country.
UAE PASS: Definition and UAE Context
UAE PASS is the national digital identity platform providing citizens, residents, and visitors with single sign-on access to government and private-sector services.
UAE University (UAEU): Definition and UAE Context
The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) is the oldest and largest federal university in the UAE, located in Al Ain and serving as the nation's flagship public research institution.
Upstream Oil: Definition and UAE Context
Upstream oil refers to the exploration and production phase of the petroleum industry, dominated in the UAE by ADNOC's onshore and offshore operations.
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VARA (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority): Definition and UAE Context
VARA is Dubai's dedicated regulatory authority for virtual assets and cryptocurrency, established to provide comprehensive oversight of the digital asset ecosystem.
VAT in the UAE: Definition and Context
VAT in the UAE is a 5 percent value-added tax introduced in January 2018 as part of a GCC-wide fiscal reform to diversify government revenue beyond hydrocarbons.
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WAM (Emirates News Agency): Definition and UAE Context
WAM (Emirates News Agency) is the official state news agency of the United Arab Emirates, providing authoritative coverage of government policy, diplomacy, and national developments.
We the UAE 2031: Definition and Context
We the UAE 2031 is the national strategic vision outlining political, social, economic, and developmental targets the United Arab Emirates aims to achieve by 2031.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi: Definition and UAE Context
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is a joint-venture ultra-low-cost carrier based in Abu Dhabi, combining European LCC expertise with Gulf connectivity.
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Yas Island: Definition and UAE Context
Yas Island is a leisure and entertainment destination in Abu Dhabi hosting theme parks, motorsport facilities, concert venues, and hospitality developments.
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Zayed International Airport: Definition and UAE Context
Zayed International Airport is Abu Dhabi's primary international airport, featuring a new midfield terminal and serving as the hub for Etihad Airways.
Zayed University: Definition and UAE Context
Zayed University is a federal public university established to educate Emirati nationals, with campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai offering career-focused degree programmes.