IMF says the UAE economy withstood the geopolitical shock as its Article IV mission wrapped up on 16 July

An International Monetary Fund staff team led by Said Bakhache visited Abu Dhabi and Dubai from 7 to 16 July 2026 (16 to 25 Tir 1405) to review economic and financial developments and the authorities' policy priorities, and to prepare the ground for the 2026 Article IV consultation.

The mission's concluding statement said the UAE economy has shown significant resilience amid the geopolitical conflict in West Asia, and that sound fundamentals, ample policy buffers, advanced preparedness and a swift policy response have contained the overall impact of the shock. On that assessment, resilient trade, aviation and logistics sectors together with strong domestic demand have continued to support growth.

The Fund also cautioned that heightened uncertainty has weighed on tourism, transport and trade, and that real-estate activity moderated in the first half of this year after several years of strong growth. The UAE is the main channel for Iran's non-oil trade and remittances, so conditions in its economy matter directly to Iranian traders.