February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is a government-established free zone authority and commodities trading ecosystem in Dubai. Founded in 2002, DMCC provides the infrastructure, regulatory framework, and business services to facilitate the trade and enterprise of commodities including gold, diamonds, precious metals, tea, coffee, and agricultural products. It has been recognized as the world’s leading free zone by fDi Intelligence (Financial Times) for multiple consecutive years and hosts the largest concentration of member companies of any UAE free zone.

UAE Context

DMCC is physically centred in the Jumeirah Lakes Towers district of Dubai and anchored by the Almas Tower, which houses the Dubai Diamond Exchange and Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange. The free zone has registered over 22,000 member companies, making it the single largest free zone by membership in the UAE. DMCC’s ecosystem extends beyond commodities trading to include technology firms, financial services, consulting, and a range of service industries drawn by the free zone’s infrastructure, regulatory certainty, and strategic Dubai location. The authority also manages the UAE’s gold refining standards and diamond grading certification.

Key Data

  • Founded: 2002
  • Member companies: Over 22,000
  • Key facility: Almas Tower, Jumeirah Lakes Towers
  • Commodities traded: Gold, diamonds, precious metals, tea, coffee, cocoa, cotton
  • Recognition: Named world’s number one free zone by fDi Intelligence multiple years running
  • Key exchanges: Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange, Dubai Diamond Exchange

Significance for Vision 2031

DMCC directly supports Vision 2031 trade and diversification targets by establishing Dubai as the world’s foremost commodities trading centre. The free zone generates significant non-oil economic activity and serves as a gateway for global trade flows into and through the UAE. DMCC’s expansion into digital commodities, tokenized assets, and sustainable sourcing standards positions it to remain relevant as global trade evolves, supporting the UAE’s ambition to lead in both traditional and next-generation commerce.

  • Free Zone - The regulatory framework under which DMCC operates
  • JAFZA - Dubai’s logistics-focused free zone complementing DMCC’s trade focus
  • Non-Oil GDP - Economic output DMCC’s trading activity contributes to
  • DIFC - Dubai’s financial free zone handling related capital flows