Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has launched the 2026 Article IV Consultation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with discussions set to review the country’s economic performance, monetary and fiscal policies, and financial sector frameworks.
Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the CBUAE and the UAE Governor to the IMF, opened the consultations at the central bank’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The IMF delegation’s official visit will continue until November 17.
The opening session was attended by the CBUAE’s assistant governors and senior officials, alongside the head of the IMF mission and members of the delegation.
Balama said the consultations reflect the UAE’s continued commitment to enhancing transparency and promoting financial and economic stability as an active IMF member.
Discussions will cover the UAE’s macroeconomic and inflation outlook, as well as the central bank’s efforts to strengthen banking sector resilience, develop financial infrastructure and promote innovation in financial services.
They will also address adherence to international best practices in banking supervision, risk management, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing.
The CBUAE will coordinate technical meetings involving the IMF mission, relevant federal and local government entities, and private sector representatives. These will assess recent economic developments and review the regulatory and supervisory frameworks governing the banking and financial sectors.
Balama highlighted the UAE’s structural resilience, supported by its advanced logistics and financial infrastructure, and the economy’s ability to maintain growth momentum amid a complex global economic environment.
The central bank said the consultations provide a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange with the IMF, supporting investor confidence and the UAE’s position as a regional and global financial hub.
At the conclusion of the consultations, the IMF mission will prepare a report assessing the UAE economy, its growth outlook and the main opportunities and challenges it faces.
The consultations come as UAE economic growth is projected to reach 1.6% in 2026 before accelerating to around 10% in 2027, the CBUAE said in a statement on Wednesday.
The growth outlook is supported by the expansion of non-oil activities, sustained infrastructure investment and increased oil production capacity. Total assets of the UAE banking sector have exceeded Dh5.7 trillion, the statement said.
