Corruption in the United Arab Emirates is perceived to have a relatively clean public sector in comparison with its neighbors.
The United Arab Emirates, a federation of territories in an area in the Arabian Gulf previously known as the Trucial Coast, was ranked 26th out of 180 in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index for 2023.
[2] This scandal was particularly notable not only because of the seniority of the accused but also due to the hands-on approach on the case adopted by the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
In 2008, for example, former executives of Tamweel, a Dubai-controlled mortgage provider were arrested for graft and financial irregularities while in office.
[5] There are observers who also attribute this type of corruption to poorly paid bureaucrats at the municipal level, who had to augment their income with unofficial tips.
This is demonstrated by cases of government contracts awarded to companies with close ties to local officials.
This policy, among other anti-corruption measures, was introduced as part of a concerted effort among Gulf countries to address corruption after the Arab Spring.
Access to information about business and political practices is very limited due to severe censorship in the country.
[14]The recent boom in the real estate industry has also created loopholes in the country’s anti-money laundering law, which has already been flagged for its slow implementation.