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• At Fitch Solutions, we forecast the UAE’s current account surplus to increase from 5.8% of GDP in 2020 to 7.7% of GDP in 2021 and 7.9% of GDP in 2022.
• Our forecast is based on our expectation for a gradual recovery in services and goods exports, as Expo 2020 Dubai drives a revival in the tourism sector, the recovery in the global

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• At Fitch Solutions, we have revised down our 2021 growth forecast for the UAE from 4.1% to 3.7%, as the highly transmissible delta variant looks poised to dampen the pace of economic recovery.
• Still, our forecast reflects a sharp rebound following the 6.1% contraction in 2020, supported largely by increasing visitor arrivals and

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• The launch of the UAE’s Public Health Management platform will improve public healthcare provision.
• Digital health partnerships will become increasingly prevalent, supported by a growing private sector contribution.
• Expanding digital health capabilities will offer growing commercial opportunities for pharmaceutical firms.

The

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• Over 2020, the UAE has adopted more relaxed regulations regarding alcoholic drinks consumption.
• As a result of the loosening of alcohol restrictions, we revised up our forecasts for alcoholic drink consumption in the UAE. While we previously projected alcoholic drinks consumption to contract by a compound annual growth rate of -0.3%

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• The UAE government will increasingly promote the uptake of generic drugs.
• Progressive reforms will increase drugmaker access in the long term.
• Generic drugs will outperform patented drugs over our forecast period.

The UAE government will increasingly promote the uptake generic drugs. As is the case with many Middle Eastern

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• At Fitch Solutions, we forecast that Dubai real GDP will expand by 4.9% in 2021. This is faster than our 4.1% growth forecast for the UAE and our 3.2% growth forecast for Abu Dhabi.
• Leading indicators are pointing to a brighter growth outlook for the emirate in Q221 compared to previous quarters.
• We believe that the UAE’s swift

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• Launch of a national digital healthcare platform will enhance healthcare expansion.
• Digital health partnerships will become increasingly prevalent, offering commercial opportunities for pharmaceutical firms.
• Progressive data protection laws continue to face headwinds.

Launch of a national digital healthcare platform will enhance

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• At Fitch Solutions, we have marginally revised up our 2021 Abu Dhabi growth forecast from 3.1% to 3.4% on the back of the UAE’s swift vaccine rollout.
• Nevertheless, we remain fairly pessimistic about the recovery of the non-oil sector, given weak external demand and fiscal restraint imposed by the authorities.
• Indeed, headline

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• The healthcare sector will remain a priority as government investment continues.
• Private sector contribution will become increasingly important in healthcare expansion.
• The economy will recover in 2021 as the UAE remains on track to reach vaccination target.

Healthcare will remain a priority sector as government investment