Abu Dhabi vows to become world benchmark for ‘speed to operate’ with fully integrated digital licensing

Speaking on the sidelines of LIVEX 2026, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) chairman Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi said the emirate intends to measure competitiveness by one metric: the time it takes for an investor to go from decision-making to day-one operations. The initiative extends 2021 reforms that slashed business-setup requirements by 71 % and folded more than 20 government services into the TAMM digital platform. In practical terms, the government plans to knit visa sponsorship, utilities, municipal permits, bank account opening and telecom connections into a single digital workflow. For HR and global-mobility managers, that could mean one portal for residence visas, corporate licences and dependent permits—reducing the administrative drag that often delays staff deployment. The approach aligns with Abu Dhabi’s target of Dh 235 billion in new investments and 130,000 jobs by 2045. ADDED data show new economic licences rose 21 % in Q1 2026 after a 29 % jump in 2025, evidence that faster processing translates into real-world company formation. Zaabi stressed that speed must coexist with “clear, accessible and predictable procedures,” hinting that service-level agreements will be published so investors can hold agencies accountable. He also flagged pre-arrival customs clearance—which now covers 89 % of imports—as a template for cutting red tape across other government touchpoints. If delivered, the single-journey model could shorten mobilisation timelines for project teams, reduce temporary housing costs and help multinationals hit contractual start dates. Mobility leaders should track pilot phases on the TAMM platform and prepare to update internal onboarding checklists once consolidated e-licensing and visa modules go live.