Non-oil revenue base grows
VAT and Excise Tax have become important contributors to public finances since their introduction, helping the UAE diversify government revenue sources beyond hydrocarbons.
The latest numbers show how the tax system is now feeding into both federal and local budgets, with distributed revenues supporting fiscal stability while giving governments more visibility for planning.
Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, said the growth in tax revenues reflects the strength of the UAE’s fiscal approach and its ability to maintain stable government resources that support economic and development priorities in the years ahead.
He added that the financial data highlights the maturity of the UAE’s fiscal and tax framework, along with the transparency and discipline guiding the management of public resources.
Stronger fiscal planning
The Ministry of Finance said it is working closely with federal and local entities to improve the management of public revenues and strengthen the readiness of fiscal policies to respond to economic growth and future developments.
Nivetha Dayanand is Assistant Business Editor at Gulf News, where she spends her days unpacking money, markets, aviation, and the big shifts shaping life in the Gulf. Before returning to Gulf News, she launched Finance Middle East, complete with a podcast and video series.
Her reporting has taken her from breaking spot news to long-form features and high-profile interviews. Nivetha has interviewed Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed Al Saud, Indian ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and N. Chandrababu Naidu, IMF’s Jihad Azour, and a long list of CEOs, regulators, and founders who are reshaping the region’s economy.
An Erasmus Mundus journalism alum, Nivetha has shared classrooms and newsrooms with journalists from more than 40 countries, which probably explains her weakness for data, context, and a good follow-up question.
When she is away from her keyboard (AFK), you are most likely to find her at the gym with an Eminem playlist, bingeing One Piece, or exploring games on her PS5.
