40 Legislative Referrals in Six Months, Compared to 12 During the Same Period in 2025

 The Abu Dhabi Chamber’s Committee for the Review of Government Laws and Legislation achieved significant growth in both the volume of its work and the scope of its legislative impact during the first half of 2026, reinforcing its role as a representative of the private sector and a key contributor to the development of an agile, competitive, and business-friendly regulatory framework in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

During the first half of 2026, the Committee handled 40 legislative and regulatory referrals, compared to 12 referrals during the same period in 2025, marking a significant increase of approximately 208% in its workload. While 70% of these referrals were examined at the initial review stage, 30% advanced to further rounds of review, reflecting the Committee’s sustained contribution to shaping and redefining legislative initiatives throughout the review process.

The Committee also provided recommendations on 22 legislative referrals, aimed at strengthening legislative and regulatory frameworks, enhancing governance, refining procedures and penalties, and ensuring an effective balance between regulatory objectives and private sector requirements.

The Committee plays a pivotal role in representing the business community before legislative and regulatory authorities by reviewing draft laws, regulations, and resolutions, assessing existing legislation, and coordinating with relevant government entities. It also engages private sector representatives, sectoral committees, and specialised working groups in the development of recommendations and policy proposals.

The Committee’s activities during the reporting period spanned a broad range of economic and regulatory areas, including commercial companies, non-profit organisations, family businesses, share and ownership structures, company transitions between free zones and the mainland, electronic commercial records and data, auctions, consumer protection, anti-commercial fraud measures, the real estate sector, higher education and scientific research, and many other areas with a direct impact on Abu Dhabi’s business environment and economic competitiveness.

Several legislative files underwent multiple rounds of review, reflecting the Committee’s commitment to continuously monitoring the development of legislative proposals and assessing the extent to which its recommendations were incorporated. Notable areas included legislation relating to share classes and ownership structures, company transitions between free zones and the mainland, non-profit organisations, and consumer protection.

Commenting on the Committee’s achievements, H.E. Dr. Ali Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Head of the Abu Dhabi Chamber’s Committee for the Review of Government Laws and Legislation, said:

“The results achieved during the first half of 2026 reflect the Committee’s growing role and expanding responsibilities. Our success is measured not only by the number of legislative proposals we review, but also by our ability to represent the voice of the private sector, enhance the quality of legislation, and contribute to the development of a more agile, efficient, and competitive business environment.”

H.E. added:

“The marked growth in legislative referrals, together with the expansion of review and follow-up processes, underscores the Committee’s transformation into a strategic institutional partner in shaping economic legislation. Our objective is to foster early and constructive dialogue between the business community and government entities, supporting investment and driving sustainable business growth.”

Reinforcing Family Businesses Sustainability

As part of its priority areas, the Committee continued to contribute to the enhancement of the legislative environment for family businesses by reviewing relevant legislation and submitting recommendations aimed at strengthening family dispute resolution mechanisms, while supporting ongoing efforts to advance the implementation framework of the UAE Family Businesses Law.

The Committee’s efforts also included supporting the establishment of family business dispute resolution committees in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and promoting the use of mediation and arbitration as effective mechanisms for resolving disputes. In addition, it supported initiatives aimed at establishing a Family Business Council, with the objective of strengthening the sustainability of family-owned enterprises and ensuring the continuity of their businesses across generations.

From Reviewing Legislation to Shaping It

The results achieved during the first half of 2026 reflect an evolution in the Committee’s role, from reviewing referred legislation to playing a broader role in advocating for private sector interests, providing policy recommendations, promoting stakeholder engagement, and monitoring legislative proposals throughout the various stages of the review process.

Through these efforts, Abu Dhabi Chamber reaffirms its commitment to serving as a strategic partner to government entities and a principal representative of the private sector, contributing to the development of a more resilient, efficient, and business-friendly legislative ecosystem that enhances ease of doing business and boosts the competitiveness of Abu Dhabi’s economy.

The Abu Dhabi Chamber’s Committee for the Review of Government Laws and Legislation is one of the Chamber’s key committees dedicated to representing the interests of the business community and private sector in legislative and regulatory matters. The Committee brings together a distinguished group of business leaders, experts, and specialists in legal, economic, and related fields, enabling it to review draft laws and legislation from a practical perspective that reflects the needs and priorities of the various business sectors across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The Committee is chaired by H.E. Dr. Ali bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, with H.E. Khaled Abdulkarim Al Fahim serving as Vice Chairman. Its members also include H.E. Marwa Abdullah Al Mansoori, H.E. Borkan Khalifa, Dr. Faraj Ahnish, Mr. Saif Mohamed Hassan, Mr. Ziad Salloum, Mr. Qussai Hjjiri, and Ms. Fatima Abdulla Balfaqeeh.