The United Arab Emirates (UAE) stands poised for remarkable economic growth as 2025 approaches, with promising developments on multiple fronts, including the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and the thriving halal industry. Strong metrics from the exchange reveal substantial year-on-year gains, and dynamic initiatives aim to bolster the halal sector as the UAE diversifies its economic portfolio.
According to recent data, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) experienced impressive growth during the first two months of 2025, witnessing daily trading volume escalations exceeding 27.5% compared to the same period last year. Abdullah Salem Al-Nuaimi, the CEO of ADX, reported this upward trend, highlighting the surge of more than 30% in the number of active investors since the beginning of the year, as noted by the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
The ADX also announced new investment products, showcasing the strength of the marketplace. Notably, the exchange is recognized for its vibrant position among regional trading platforms, with the exchange-traded funds (ETFs) sector rapidly gaining traction. Al-Nuaimi elaborated on this growth, stating, "The trading volume of derivatives grew by 150% last year, confirming the market's attractiveness for investors."
On February 20, the ADX launched the Chimera iBoxx US Treasury ETF, which tracks the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated treasury bonds. Al-Nuaimi also emphasized the importance of creating two new dedicated companies—Abu Dhabi Clearing and Abu Dhabi Depository—aimed at enhancing the exchange's infrastructure. He expressed confidence this initiative would improve trading efficiency by providing quicker access to information and optimizing settlements. "These changes are expected to reflect positively for investors," he remarked, urging brokerage firms to modernize their systems to leverage these new innovations.
While the financial market flourishes with these developments, the halal industry is making significant strides as well. The upcoming Halal Forum 2025 is set to establish Saudi Arabia as the leading center for the global halal sector, aligning with the objectives of Vision 2030 to diversify the national economy. The forum aims to open new avenues for investment and international cooperation, facilitating the exchange of innovative ideas and practices within the industry.
Reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the event is anticipated to attract halal industry leaders from around the globe, reflecting the kingdom's commitment to sustainability and growth. It plans to feature product showcases from around the world, emphasizing sustainable practices and collaboration. "This forum marks the beginning of a new era for halal events globally," one official stated. Attendees will engage across various sessions and workshops aimed at exploring best practices and fostering partnerships.
Not only is the forum about showcasing products and services, but it also reflects Saudi Arabia's intention to help position itself as the hub for the halal economy. With global halal food market revenues expected to reach approximately 5.3 trillion dollars from 2023 to 2024, the importance of this forum cannot be overstated. “The Halal Forum 2025 serves as a pivotal platform to consolidate strategic partnerships across 150 countries,” articulated one attendee, highlighting how this initiative opens resourceful pathways for small and medium enterprises to expand their reach.
The discussions around halal extend beyond mere commerce—they encompass cultural significance and point to the nation's heritage. Participants will get hands-on experiences through live cooking demonstrations and interactions with renowned chefs, connecting the foundations of halal cuisine with contemporary innovations.
One of the forum's goals will be to nurture the next generation of leaders within the halal sector. It will provide specialized workshops to transform innovative ideas from youth participants worldwide, allowing their visions to flourish within the halal framework. Consequently, the global halal market is projected to soar to 7.7 trillion dollars by 2025, with the food and beverages segment anticipated to command around 3.3 trillion dollars of this total. Notably, it is expected the halal food market will reach around 9.45 trillion dollars by 2034, featuring sustained annual growth of 12.42%.
Such forecasts not only indicate considerable opportunities for investors and businesses but also reinforce the UAE's strategy of economic diversification and innovation. The strong performance of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange coupled with the ambitious plans of the Halal Forum underline the UAE’s positioning as a pivotal player on both regional and global economic fronts, setting the stage for sustained growth as it approaches 2025.
Summarizing the current climate, it is evident the UAE is adopting prudent measures to fortify its financial markets and capitalize on the burgeoning halal industry, fostering partnerships and innovation. Notably, these advancements mirror the broader trends of economic development reflecting the UAE’s resolve to maintain its status as a thriving and diversified economy.