February 24, 2026
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ECONOMIC VISION 2030
The Vanderbilt Terminal for Gulf Economic Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR ABU DHABI & BAHRAIN
Abu Dhabi GDP: ~$300B | Bahrain GDP: ~$44B | ADIA AUM: $1T+ | Mumtalakat AUM: ~$18B | ADNOC Production: ~4M bpd | Alba Output: 1.6M+ tonnes | AD Non-Oil GDP: ~52% | AD Credit Rating: AA/Aa2 | BH Credit Rating: B+/B2 | ADGM Entities: 1,800+ | Bahrain Banks: 350+ | Vision Deadline: 2030 | Abu Dhabi GDP: ~$300B | Bahrain GDP: ~$44B | ADIA AUM: $1T+ | Mumtalakat AUM: ~$18B | ADNOC Production: ~4M bpd | Alba Output: 1.6M+ tonnes | AD Non-Oil GDP: ~52% | AD Credit Rating: AA/Aa2 | BH Credit Rating: B+/B2 | ADGM Entities: 1,800+ | Bahrain Banks: 350+ | Vision Deadline: 2030 |

Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030

Encyclopedia entry on the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, the 146-page strategic policy document published in 2008 setting out nine pillars for economic transformation by 2030.

The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 is a 146-page strategic policy document published by the Government of Abu Dhabi in November 2008. The document establishes the long-term economic development framework for the emirate, setting out a comprehensive agenda for transforming Abu Dhabi from a hydrocarbon-dependent economy into a diversified, knowledge-based, globally integrated economy by 2030.

Publication Context

The vision was published during a period of high oil prices and strong economic growth across the Gulf region. It was developed under the Abu Dhabi Council for Economic Development and drew on international advisory input. The document was released just weeks before the global financial crisis intensified, which subsequently tested Abu Dhabi’s fiscal resilience and reinforced the urgency of the diversification agenda.

Nine Pillars

The vision is structured around nine priority areas, described as pillars:

  1. A large, empowered private sector — reducing government dominance and fostering entrepreneurship.
  2. A sustainable knowledge-based economy — developing human capital, research, and innovation.
  3. An optimal, transparent regulatory environment — improving governance and ease of doing business.
  4. A continuation of strong and diverse international relationships — trade, diplomacy, and investment partnerships.
  5. Optimisation of the emirate’s resources — managing hydrocarbon and financial assets for intergenerational sustainability.
  6. Premium education, healthcare, and infrastructure assets — building social infrastructure.
  7. A complete and secure domestic resource base — food, water, and energy security.
  8. Maintaining Abu Dhabi’s values — cultural preservation alongside modernisation.
  9. A significant and ongoing contribution to the federation — Abu Dhabi’s role within the UAE.

Macroeconomic Targets

The vision set targets including sustained GDP growth averaging 7 percent per annum, reduction of the oil sector’s share of GDP to below 40 percent, significant expansion of manufacturing and services, and diversification of government revenue sources. Performance against these targets has been mixed, with non-oil GDP growth achieved while overall growth has been more volatile than projected.

Implementation

The vision is implemented through Abu Dhabi’s institutional architecture: sovereign wealth funds (ADIA, Mubadala, ADQ), national companies (ADNOC, TAQA, Masdar), regulators (ADGM), and development agencies. No single entity is responsible for overall implementation, which is distributed across dozens of government and government-related entities.

Significance

The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 remains the foundational reference document for understanding Abu Dhabi’s economic strategy. It articulates the strategic logic, institutional mechanisms, and performance benchmarks against which the emirate’s economic transformation can be assessed.