Abu Dhabi Makes Speed-to-Operation Its Benchmark
Abu Dhabi is changing the way it measures business competitiveness. Rather than looking only at how quickly a single government transaction is processed, the emirate is focusing on the full investor journey: the time between a decision to invest and the start of actual operations. The stated aim is for Abu Dhabi to become the global reference point for that measure.
Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), has said that faster setup must go together with procedures that are transparent, easy to follow and predictable. The approach centres on simplifying requirements, removing unnecessary steps and improving coordination between government entities and the service providers that companies depend on.
This builds on earlier reforms. In 2021, more than 20 government entities worked together to cut the requirements for establishing new commercial activities by 71%. In the same year, the Investor Journey was launched on the TAMM platform, bringing government approvals into a single digital process. It has since been extended to include services from banks, telecom providers and insurers.
The next phase aims to connect the remaining operational steps more closely, including permits, premises preparation, utility connections and financial requirements.
Supporting indicators
Pre-arrival customs clearance rose from 47% of transactions in 2023 to 89% in the first half of 2026.
Non-oil activities accounted for 54.7% of Abu Dhabi's GDP in 2024.
New economic licences grew by 29% in 2025 and by a further 21% in the first quarter of 2026.
A new Government Asset Investment service, launched on TAMM on 29 September, also allows investors to pursue opportunities involving government land and assets through standardised templates, from expression of interest to contracting.
What it means for companies considering Abu Dhabi
For firms planning to move to or expand in the GCC, these developments may be relevant in the following ways:
Setup timelines. Approval times may shorten, although the overall timeline will still depend on how licensing, premises, banking and staffing are sequenced.
Digital channels. A growing share of procedures is handled through TAMM and its integrated services.
Regional context. Dubai and other GCC markets are pursuing similar reforms, and the most suitable location varies by sector, mainland or free zone structure, and target market.
How quickly the next phase translates into shorter real-world setup times remains to be seen. For now, Abu Dhabi is presenting speed and ease of establishment as a central part of its investment offer.
At OGMC, we help companies evaluate business setup options across the GCC.
