Dubai Crown Prince HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Announces AED1 Billion Support Package For The Emirate’s Business Sector

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has approved an AED1 billion (US$272.26 million) support package for the emirate’s business sector that will be rolled out from April over the next three to six months.

The measures were announced following a meeting of The Executive Council, which also saw approvals being granted for results underlining Dubai’s economic growth during the fourth quarter of 2025 and an updated methodology for measuring the emirate’s gross domestic product (GDP), the Virtual Warehouses Initiative, the Dubai Empowerment Strategy, and the Health and Safety Strategy for Workers' Accommodation.

In a post on the social media platform X, Sheikh Hamdan said, “Our message is clear: Dubai remains committed to supporting individuals, families and businesses with confidence and stability. With strong institutions and deep community ties, the emirate continues to grow, turning challenges into opportunities and emerging stronger than ever.”

Today, I chaired a meeting of The Executive Council, where we approved an AED 1 billion support package for Dubai’s business sector, to be rolled out from 1 April over the next three to six months. The measures are designed to strengthen the economy's resilience, readiness and… pic.twitter.com/ZBKYGBGppA

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) March 30, 2026

Included in the AED1 billion economic incentives being rolled out by The Executive Council are the deferral of a range of government fees for three months, including measures that allow hotels to postpone paying 100 percent of the sales fees and the “Tourism Dirham”—a fee applied to guests staying in Dubai hotels—for three months to enhance liquidity in the hospitality and tourism sectors. Similarly, customs data grace periods will be extended from 30 to 90 days with the possibility of further extension and full compliance with the applicable tax legislation. The initiative will also streamline the issuing and renewing of residency permits, making it easier for talent to live and work in Dubai.

The Executive Council also approved the results of Dubai’s economic performance for the fourth quarter of 2025, during which the emirate reported 6.4 percent growth. For the full year, Dubai’s GDP grew by 5.4 percent, reaching AED937 billion. The Council also endorsed a comprehensive update to the methodology for measuring Dubai’s GDP, which will expand the scope of economic surveys, broaden statistical coverage to more accurately represent all economic activities, and introduce more comprehensive databases that better reflect actual performance.

The Executive Council also approved the Dubai Empowerment Strategy, which has been designed to raise living standards, strengthen financial stability, promote sustainable employment, and foster social cohesion among Emirati families. Supervised by the Community Development Authority, the strategy shall take a dual-track approach that provides tailored support for both job seekers and individuals pursuing home-based entrepreneurship.

The Virtual Warehouses Initiative, overseen by Dubai Customs, also secured approval from The Executive Council. In its first phase, the initiative will facilitate temporary imports into Dubai to ensure the smooth flow of goods, including artwork. Under a new temporary admission declaration, the scheme exempts imports of artwork from customs duties and financial guarantees and suspends duties on private artworks for three years. It also removes geographical restrictions, simplifies time extensions, and introduces virtual copies of artworks for continuous high-tech tracking.

The Executive Council also approved the Health and Safety Strategy for Workers’ Accommodations, which is aimed at improving living and working conditions for workers across Dubai. By 2033, the strategy targets 100 percent access to essential services for workers and 100 percent compliance of workers’ accommodations with health and safety regulations. The initiative supports the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and aligns with International Labour Organization (ILO) regulations, reflecting Dubai’s commitment to worker welfare and sustainable urban growth.

Pictured in the lead image is HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. All images courtesy Dubai Media Office.