The United Arab Emirates case of economic success
: the Federal Government economic policies

  • Pedro Alexandre Azevedo Dias Lima Delgado (Student)

Student thesis: Master's Thesis

Abstract

Within 44 years the United Arab Emirates (UAE) evolved from the backdrop of a subsistence economy into an innovation-driven economy characterized by a high-mass consumption society. Prudent policy-making by the UAE Federal Government was vital in providing proper guidance on the how, where and when to apply hydrocarbon revenues and support the much needed process of economic diversification. Due to its astonishing economic development the UAE has become a role model in economic diversification for oil-producing countries. In this sense, the present Master’s Final Work sheds light on the following research question - “What were the policies adopted by the United Arab Emirates Federal Government that made the Emirates economy a case of success?”. A “two building-block” rationale was adopted in order to address the research question at hand. The first “building-block” allowed us to verify that the UAE is a case of economic success. Within 44 years, the country has now one of the most competitive economies in the world and is at par with most advanced economies in terms business regulations, infrastructure and technological advancement. The second “building-block” focused on the understanding of the UAE’s Federal Government policies that fostered such success. By adopting the single-case study methodology it was possible to verify that within the UAE’s set of macroeconomic policies, diversification played a leading role and has allowed the economy to divest away from hydrocarbons dependence. Trade, Investment, Fiscal and Monetary policies have worked as tools to foster and promote both economic growth and diversification.
Date of Award6 Dec 2016
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Universidade Católica Portuguesa
SupervisorAlexandra Leitão (Supervisor)

Keywords

  • United Arab Emirates
  • Economy
  • Development
  • Policies

Designation

  • Mestrado em Gestão

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