News

Dubai’s Finance Strategy For 2026 Hopes To Achieve Financial Sustainability

Dubai’s Department of Finance has unveiled a strategic plan for 2026 that looks to achieve objectives laid out in the Dubai Strategy 2030.

Published

4 years ago

August 3, 2022

Nour Nasir

dubai's finance strategy for 2026 hopes to achieve financial sustainability

Dubai’s Department of Finance recently announced its official “Finance Strategy for 2026”, which ties in with the Dubai Strategy 2030 project, an ambitious plan to elevate Dubai as a global platform for knowledge-based, sustainable, and innovation-focused businesses.

The director of the Department of Finance’s Strategy & Corporate Performance Division, Jasim Mohamad Al Zarooni, noted that the plan is based on the vision of “Global leadership and innovative financial sustainability”, centered around six ambitious objectives that were originally laid out in the Smart Dubai 2021 roadmap, with a plan to achieve financial sustainability and a fair and efficient distribution of resources within the emirate.

Here are the six strategic objectives in brief:

A Smart, Liveable & Resilient City

With improved connectedness, simplified and sustainable living, plus all of the critical infrastructure to boost efficiency and promote resilience.

A Globally Competitive Economy Powered By Disruptive Technologies

Pioneering new rules of economic development and engagement to transition to a circular economy that shares assets and resources, whilst building an inspired and highly productive workforce.

An Interconnected Society With Easily Accessible Social Services

Improve quality of life for both residents and visitors by embracing technology to streamline the emirate’s social, cultural, education, and healthcare experiences.

Smooth Transport, Driven By Autonomous & Shared Mobility Solutions

Pioneer smart innovative mobility solutions and automation for a seamless and safe transportation experience in the emirate and reduce commuting time.

A Clean Environment Enabled By Cutting-Edge ICT Innovations

Ensure the sustainability and quality of the emirate’s resources (water, air, energy, and land) for residents and visitors and digitally transform utilities, manufacturing, transportation, and waste treatment.

A Digital, Lean, And Connected Government

Eliminate the need to physically interact with government departments by providing 100% of eligible public services through digital channels and targeting full digital adoption.

The government aims to turn Dubai into the preferred manufacturing platform for global businesses, promoting energy-efficient and environmentally friendly manufacturing while fostering a culture of knowledge and innovation that could turn the emirate into a central hub for the global Islamic products market.

News

Lebanon Ministers Meet Visa Over National Digital Payment Platform

Finance and technology ministers say a comparative study and roadmap will follow before any decision on adopting a model.

Published

6 days ago

May 5, 2026

Joanna Melki

lebanon ministers meet visa over national digital payment platform

Lebanon’s finance and technology ministers met representatives from Visa last week to discuss a proposed unified national digital payment platform for government services, according to a readout from the Ministry of Finance.

The meeting brought together Finance Minister Yassin Jaber, Minister of State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence Kamal Shehadeh, a Visa delegation, and experts from both ministries. Discussion focused on whether Lebanon could establish a single platform through which citizens and institutions would pay taxes, fees, fines and other official transactions electronically, using mobile phones and other digital channels.

The Visa delegation presented examples from countries that have adopted unified government payment platforms, including the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Estonia and Jordan. According to the readout, the examples were presented as having increased collection rates and expanded financial inclusion.

Talks covered settlement mechanisms, direct transfer to the treasury account, financial reconciliation, risk management, cybersecurity, fees, and an operational model that would involve the private sector. The parties agreed to continue technical and institutional consultations, prepare a comparative study, and develop an implementation roadmap before any decision on adopting a model for Lebanon.

Jaber said the Ministry of Finance had already enabled citizens to pay using credit cards and e-wallets through transfer companies, but described the proposed platform as a further step. He framed the development of electronic payment and collection systems as a priority within the ministry’s modernization plan.

Also Read: Deezer Says AI Tracks Now Make Up 44% Of Uploads

Shehadeh outlined the citizen-facing concept as a single mobile application through which users could settle obligations to ministries, government institutions and other bodies.

“The idea, in short, is that any citizen downloads an application on their mobile phone, through which they can pay all service obligations for all ministries, government institutions, or those owned by the Lebanese state, and others as well, as the platform is not limited only to state institutions,” he said.

Shehadeh added that the platform would not displace banks and money transfer companies that currently provide collection services to the state, calling it complementary to their work.