Habib Al Mulla and Partners, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, hosted an exclusive roundtable titled “Beyond Legacy: Empowering Family Businesses.” The event brought together prominent representatives from UAE family businesses, senior government officials, business leaders, and legal experts to discuss strategies that support the growth, sustainability, and smooth generational transition of family-owned enterprises.
The roundtable aimed to strengthen dialogue between the public and private sectors, foster collaboration, and exchange best practices to help family businesses remain resilient and competitive in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.
Speaking at the event, H.E. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, emphasized the UAE’s continued efforts to empower family enterprises as a cornerstone of national economic diversification.
“The UAE has placed great emphasis on creating a competitive environment for family businesses as a key pillar of economic diversification, and our efforts continue to support and elevate this vital sector,” said H.E. Bin Touq.
“This forum reflects our commitment to strengthening collaboration with the family business community and fostering dialogue to build a resilient and future-ready business ecosystem — one that continues to grow and thrive across generations.”
H.E. Bin Touq also highlighted several government-led initiatives that reinforce the UAE’s leadership in supporting family businesses, including Federal Decree-Law No. 37 of 2022 on Family Businesses, the first comprehensive law of its kind globally. The law establishes a clear legal framework to ensure smooth ownership transitions between generations while promoting innovation and expansion into new sectors.
He further referenced the Unified Family Business Register, which currently includes 18 registered entities, and the “Thabat” Program, which assists family-owned enterprises in launching ventures in emerging industries, strengthening their long-term resilience and contribution to the national economy.
Alia Al Mulla, Partner and Head of Commercial Disputes at Habib Al Mulla and Partners, shared her insights on the UAE’s forward-thinking legislative environment and its impact on family businesses.
“The UAE continues to lead the region and the world in legislative innovation. The Family Business Law represents a groundbreaking step forward, reflecting a visionary and proactive approach to ensuring the sustainability of family enterprises,” she said: “At Habib Al Mulla and Partners, we take pride in being among the first law firms to work extensively with family businesses to raise awareness about the benefits of this law and to assist them in registration and compliance — safeguarding their legacy for generations to come.”
A Platform for Knowledge and Collaboration
The roundtable featured interactive discussions addressing challenges in governance, succession planning, and innovation in management. Participants shared success stories and explored practical solutions to enhance flexibility, governance, and the long-term growth of family enterprises.
The dialogue reaffirmed the UAE’s pioneering role in shaping a modern legislative and business environment that nurtures sustainable family businesses and attracts global investment.
