The UAE Cabinet has approved the Federal General Budget Plan for 2027–2029 with total expenditure of AED 292.5 billion, and approved the Federal General Budget Plan for fiscal year 2027 totalling AED 90.1 billion as part of the 2027–2029 budget plan. The approvals reflect measures by the Ministry of Finance under Federal Decree-Law No. (26) of 2019 on Public Finance, as amended, and related resolutions and recommendations.
Objectives of the three-year plan
The 2027–2029 federal general budget cycle aims to advance fiscal sustainability and resilience, achieve global leadership in government financial performance, and consolidate the UAE’s international standing through effective and influential partnerships. The draft Federal General Budget aims to enable federal entities to utilise their approved allocations and implement their objectives and programmes in line with the 2027–2029 strategic plan.
Leadership statements on priorities
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said the 2027–2029 Federal General Budget Plan and the Federal General Budget for fiscal year 2027 should be measured not simply by the scale of their financial resources, but by the quality and scale of the sustainable impact they deliver across society. He said the central objective of the new three-year spending plan is to enhance the efficiency of government tools and accelerate development initiatives and projects that deliver the highest standards of quality of life for citizens and residents.
Sheikh Maktoum added that "The allocations for social development, particularly education and healthcare, reflect the wise leadership’s commitment to sustained investment in people." He also said the budget plan places particular emphasis on harnessing artificial intelligence and financial data analytics while simplifying requirements to ensure the resilience of the national economy amid global economic shifts, and that "We are not spending simply to meet the needs of today. We are investing in a proactive government services ecosystem that exceeds expectations and reinforces the UAE’s global leadership." He said the UAE’s financial model rests on balancing driving economic growth, funding strategic projects and maintaining the highest standards of fiscal discipline while updating tax and development-related legislation.
Fiscal management and coordination
Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini said the 2027–2029 Federal General Budget Plan and the 2027 budget reflect a significant shift in the management of public resources towards greater agility and a more strategic approach to directing expenditure over the medium term. He said the preparation of the financial plan was in coordination with all federal entities and following directives of the UAE General Budget Committee to empower federal ministries and institutions, and that this approach will ensure the optimal use of federal resources while advancing the UAE’s fiscal sustainability.