In this cycle, Dubai relies on achieving an operating surplus estimated at five percent of the GDP for 2026, which enhances financial sustainability and supports future growth plans.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid indicated that the budget “draws a financial path that aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the local output and make the emirate one of the three most important economic cities globally by 2033.”
The new budget confirms its support for future sectors, such as innovation, the digital economy, and entrepreneurship, and provides a strong financial structure that enables Dubai to implement long-term strategic projects while maintaining economic stability.
For his part, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid stated that this “record size of the budget reflects the strength of the emirate’s financial framework and its ability to plan with high efficiency,” adding that Dubai “continues to employ public spending in major development projects that maintain its competitiveness and raise the level of quality of life, while adhering to a disciplined financial approach that enhances investor confidence and supports the sustainability of Dubai’s financial center in the face of future changes.”
The 2026 budget included expenditures of nearly AED 100 billion and revenues exceeding AED 107 billion, with a large part allocated to social services and the health, education, and culture sectors, in addition to continuing investment in infrastructure and major construction projects.
The government has also created a general reserve aimed at maintaining financial stability and providing a safety net in the face of any potential challenges.
Dubai’s Department of Finance confirmed that the medium-term financial plan gives the government greater flexibility in directing spending and improving efficiency, in addition to enhancing digital transformation and developing payment systems and non-cash government services, in line with Dubai’s vision to become a global model for the digital economy. The department added that “unified financial platforms and open data contribute to raising transparency and building an attractive environment for foreign investments.”
The department also stated that “the application of international accounting standards in the public sector has placed Dubai among the first governments in the region to adopt this approach, which has positively reflected on the quality of the budget and the ability to measure financial performance with greater accuracy.”
In the same context, the shared services sector continues to develop initiatives aimed at increasing spending efficiency and enhancing integration between government entities, including the launch of the unified contact center and the joint procurement program, which contributes to achieving significant savings and improving public services.
In conclusion, the Dubai budget for 2026 and the 2026-2028 cycle defines a comprehensive financial framework that supports the growth process, enhances the emirate’s position in the global economy, and confirms the leadership’s commitment to investing in people, infrastructure, and future technologies, while maintaining long-term financial stability.
(“Sky News”)
