A growing city

The city reported 6% growth in non-oil external trade at US$272 billion in the first nine months of 2019, with Dubai’s free zones accounting for US$119 billion of that figure.

Dubai is also recognised amongst the top 10 financial centres in the Global Financial Centres Index, with Dubai International Financial Centre climbing to number eight.

Today retail, wholesale, transport and storage, finance and insurance, manufacturing and real estate all contribute substantial percentages of Dubai’s GDP.

US$12.7 billion

Foreign direct investment in the UAE in 2019

An increase of 135% year-on-year.

23.8%

Jebel Ali contribution to Dubai’s GDP

DP World’s Jebel Ali Port, Dubai’s largest free zone generated trade worth US$93 billion in 2018.

16.73 million

Tourist arrivals in 2019

Rising by 5.1% from the previous year.

3%

Surge in 2020 for the UAE’s non-oil sector

A 3% increase in UAE’s non-oil sector is predicted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2020.

Dubai’s Vision

The emirate’s vision is to take the economy forward to embrace a future dominated by technological and research-based industries.

Discover more about Dubai's Long Term Vision

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Foreign direct investment

In 2019, Dubai ranked third in the world in attracting foreign direct investments (FDI), in terms of both capital flows and the number of greenfield projects, according to the Financial Times’ FDI Markets data.

The city also ranked first globally in attracting investment for artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, reporting US$21.6 billion worth of FDI in high-end technology transfers between 2015 to 2018. Most of the investment originated from Europe and the US, US$5.7 billion and US$3.9 billion, respectively.

3rd

For Foreign Direct Investment

Dubai is ranked 3rd in the world in attracting foreign direct investments (FDI) in terms of capital flows and greenfield projects | The Financial Times’ FDI Markets data.

1st

For investment in AI

Dubai ranked first globally in attracting investment for artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.

US$21.6 billion

High-end technology transfers

Reported worth of FDI in high-end technology transfers between 2015 to 2018. Most of the investment originated from Europe (US$5.7 billion) and the US (US$3.9 billion)

E-commerce and GDP

Another sector realising huge growth potential in Dubai is the e-commerce market – its value in the UAE alone is expected to reach US$27.2 billion in 2020.
A series of reforms and government measures to stimulate growth are set to drive UAE’s gross domestic product to pass the US$500 billion mark over the next few years.
The city is a magnet for outside investors with pro-business regulations that span five areas: entrepreneurial policy model, favourable tax environment, robust financial controls, sound competitive market fundamentals and legislative autonomy.

Dubai is internationally recognised as a top 10 financial and trading centre, with many of the world's largest banks and high growth companies serving the region from Dubai.

Trade

As the emirate’s largest trading partner, China is a strong driver of Dubai’s growth, contributing US$40.8 billion to the economy in 2019. India is the emirate’s second-biggest trading partner, contributing US$36.8 billion in the same period.
The GCC’s largest special economic zone, Jafza contributed 23.8% of the city’s GDP alone and generated trade worth US$93 billion in 2018.
With a GDP of US$425 billion in 2019, the UAE Ministry of Economy has predicted that non-oil-related GDP will reach 80% by 2021.

World class infrastructure and capacity enables Dubai to handle huge global demand, with unique potential for a hub-and-spoke trade model

A hunger for innovation

The UAE and Dubai’s soaring yet sustainable growth is being driven by constant innovation policies, a hunger for investing in the future, and the desire to be the most technologically advanced country in the world.