Comprehensive report on Dubai trade and investment unveiled

‘The Business Year: Dubai 2012’ report has a foreword by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and interviews with key public and private sector leaders

Dubai FDI, the foreign investment promotion office of the Department of Economic Development (DED), in association with the international business consultancy firm The Business Year, has released a special report on Dubai for the benefit of businesses and investors worldwide, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Economic Sector Committee, President of Dubai Civil Aviation, and Chairman & Chief Executive of Emirates Airlines Group.

‘The Business Year: Dubai 2012’ report has a foreword by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and interviews with 150 thought leaders and influence makers from the local private sector and government.

Dubai’s significance as a catalyst for global trade and investment and its unique abilities in sustaining prosperity in the new world, where emerging markets occupy the centre stage, are also explained in the first-of-its kind report on the emirate.

“Standing at the centre of trade between the Middle East and Asia linking Latin America, Africa, and beyond, Dubai is shaping and catalysing this new world of trade and investment flows,” His Highness Sheikh Mohammed says in his foreword to the report.

Strategic view points and commentaries from local, regional and international experts, gathered from seven months of extensive research across key industry sectors, are the highlight of the report. Leading statesmen including His Excellency Lee Myung-Bak, President of South Korea, and key trade figures starting with US Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco J. Sánchez provide the international perspective on Dubai.

“Dubai is a living testament of what human imagination, creativity, commitment, and able leadership can achieve,” the South Korean President says in the report.

According to the US Undersecretary, “Dubai has rightfully earned its favourable reputation as a good place to do business” thanks largely to the excellent counseling and assistance offered to foreign companies by DED and other organisations geared to promoting trade and investment.

Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint, UK Minister of Trade & Investment says “Dubai has successfully positioned itself as a hub for the growing economies of the Middle East and Africa,” adding that the UAE is home to nearly 4,000 British companies and 100,000 British citizens.

The research also traces the innovative strategies including the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 and economic diversification strategies being adopted to cement Dubai’s leadership as a regional hub and a global connector.

“Dubai’s business landscape has seen remarkable changes, especially in the ease of doing business, adoption of best practices and access to markets and capital. ‘The Business Year: Dubai 2012’ captures those changes with authentic testimonials on their outcomes from businesses and global trade,” stated His Excellency Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of DED.

Critical sectors of the economy including finance, industry, energy, green technology, ICT, transport, real estate and construction, health and education, retail and tourism are covered in the research report. In addition to a sector-wise industry outlook, the report has senior-most executives of the top players in each sector sharing their experiences and insights.

“Investors worldwide and the growing number of companies looking at Dubai as a global services hub will find the high quality business intelligence provided by ‘The Business Year: Dubai 2012’ extremely beneficial. It’s a first-hand account of how Dubai makes things happen,” commented Fahad Al Gergawi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai FDI.

At 220 pages, The Business Year: Dubai 2012 is the most comprehensive English language review of Dubai’s economy to date, available internationally.

“Dubai has successfully used its experience over the past half decade to hone in on the core strengths that will drive its growth forward, and maintain its key position as a global centre for trade, finance, and tourism, as well as see the development of complementary sectors in industry and services,” said Jason J. Nash, Editorial Director of TBY. “The Business Year: Dubai 2012 hopes to highlight the key centres of activity that are contributing to the Emirate’s growth potential.”