Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Twenty-seven UAE-listed companies have been named among the world’s top 1,000 public firms in the inaugural Global Growth Leaders 2026 ranking, compiled by TIME magazine in partnership with data analytics firm Statista.
The recognition demonstrates the UAE’s growing presence on the global stage across sectors ranging from real estate and finance to infrastructure and insurance.
The ranking evaluates publicly-listed companies worldwide based on three key criteria: growth performance, financial stability, and stock market performance.
Leading the UAE contingent was International Holding Company (IHC), which ranked sixth globally with a score of 95.30.
Dubai Insurance followed in 10th place, while Emirates Stallions Group and 2PointZero Group secured the 35th and 36th positions, respectively.
TIME said the ranking was designed to identify companies that demonstrate sustained growth, strong market performance, and resilient financial fundamentals during a period marked by rapid technological change, evolving development goals, and increased globalisation.
Analysts have increasingly pointed to Asia and the broader Middle East as key growth regions, according to the report.
Investment banks Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have forecast that economic growth in Asia-Pacific will outpace that of the US and Europe, driven by domestic demand, industrialisation, and diversified trade and investment flows.
Meanwhile, Gulf economies have accelerated efforts to expand beyond oil through investments in sectors including technology, logistics, real estate and financial services.
Real estate emerged as one of the UAE's strongest-performing sectors in the ranking. RAK Properties placed 67th globally, while Modon ranked 117th, Deyaar Development 127th, and Union Properties 430th.
Infrastructure and industrial companies also featured prominently, with NMDC Group ranking 71st, Abu Dhabi Ship Building 213th, and Emsteel 229th.
In the financial sector, Mashreq ranked 316th, Emirates Islamic 518th, Emirates Investment Bank 783rd, and Bank of Sharjah 962nd.
Insurance companies including Dubai Insurance, Response Plus Holding, Amanat Holdings, Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company, Takaful Emarat, and Al Buhaira National Insurance also made it onto the list.
The transportation and logistics sector was represented by AD Ports Group, Easy Lease and Invictus, while Space42 appeared among the world's leading growth companies in telecommunications.
Globally, India-based Lloyds Enterprises topped the rankings. The diversified investment and holding company benefited from strong growth following the demerger of its real estate business in 2025, amid a surge in institutional investment into India's property sector.
TIME noted that resource generation and infrastructure was the most represented category among top-performing companies worldwide, while US chipmaker Nvidia ranked as the highest-placed American company at 16th, reflecting its central role in the artificial intelligence boom.
The UAE companies named in the Global Growth Leaders 2026 ranking are:
• International Holding Company (6)
• Dubai Insurance (10)
• Emirates Stallions Group (35)
• 2PointZero Group (36)
• RAK Properties (67)
• NMDC Group (71)
• Apex Investment (98)
• Modon (117)
• Deyaar Development (127)
• Abu Dhabi Ship Building (213)
• Emsteel (229)
• Response Plus Holding (254)
• Mashreq (316)
• Alpha Dhabi (329)
• Amanat Holdings (368)
• Easy Lease (387)
• Ghitha Holding (429)
• Union Properties (430)
• Emirates Islamic (518)
• Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (574)
• AD Ports Group (652)
• Takaful Emarat (752)
• Emirates Investment Bank (783)
• Invictus (860)
• Al Buhaira National Insurance (881)
• Space42 (953)
• Bank of Sharjah (962)
