‘Why Dubai’ study to update investors worldwide

Dubai FDI, the foreign investment office of the Department of Economic Development (DED), has published an updated study on the distinguishing features that enables Dubai to remain an attractive destination for people and businesses worldwide.

The latest issue of the ‘Why Dubai’ study, completed after extensive interviews with business leaders and investors, shows Dubai’s lifestyle and retail choices as its most significant attractions, along with its visionary leadership, pro-business government, suitability as a global hub for multinational firms, connectivity, logistics infrastructure, and pre-eminence in information and communications technology (ICT).

“Today, the world is watching closer how Dubai is bucking global trends to sustain growth. Dubai is re-inventing itself, providing more compelling reasons for people and businesses to be in Dubai,” commented His Excellency Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of DED.

”Dubai is home to 2.17 million people from 202 nationalities reaping rich rewards from the ‘can-do’ attitude of the emirate’s leadership. Creating new opportunities for such a global population is the key factor keeping Dubai ahead in the competition,” added Al Qamzi.

‘Why Dubai’ points to the multi-cultural, safe and family-friendly environment and the presence of best-in-class retail choices as the driver of the emirate’s popularity as a lifestyle destination. In 2011 Dubai was ranked number one in the CB Richard Ellis report, ‘Top 20 Cities for Retail.’

“Over and above the ease and efficiency of doing business, a major strength of Dubai is its safe, family-friendly and multicultural environment. For the growing number of multinational companies moving to Dubai, the emirate’s lifestyle is a major attraction as much as its infrastructure and proximity to key growth markets,” said Fahad Al Gergawi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai FDI.

Tracing Dubai’s evolution from a local trading community to a preferred destination for foreign investment, the study says the emirate’s logistics infrastructure, connectivity, pro-business policies and transparent regulations have laid strong foundations for accelerated growth.

Dubai is the third largest export hub and has the fourth largest airport in the world today as a superior transport infrastructure connects businesses and people to key international markets within the shortest possible time. Dubai’s total non-oil foreign trade grew 13 per cent to set a record of AED1.029 trillion during the first 10 months of 2012, compared to AED911 billion during the same period of 2011. The emirate is also the regional leader in information technology and telecommunications, with the world’s highest mobile penetration rate.

“As thousands of new businesses are discovering each year, Dubai is the perfect gateway between East and West and the preferred hub for the region’s imports and exports market – one of the most lucrative in the world. Dubai’s strategic location gives easy access to 2.2 billion consumers from a unique centralised time zone that combines East and West business hours,” says the study.

“Trade, logistics, transportation and tourism accounted for almost 60 per cent of Dubai’s GDP in 2011, which grew in total by 3.4 per cent and is expected to grow 4.6 per cent by the end of 2012,” says the study, adding that Dubai’s 575 hotels generated AED16 billion in revenues in 2011.

“Confidence in Dubai’s leadership and potentials are other significant factors promoting growth and FDI inflows. Dubai’s economy stayed on course despite the global slowdown and foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows remained stable at AED23.1 billion in 2011, creating more than 15,260 new jobs,” noted Al Gergawi.

The study also points to the ease of access to finance and labour as well as the commitment to innovation and competitiveness that governs decision-making in the government and the private sector in Dubai.

“Dubai was ranked 33 in the 2012 Doing Business Report of the World Bank and 27 in the Global Competitiveness ranking for 2011-2012. It has also been ranked as the top Middle Eastern city in Mercer’s quality of life index,” added Al Gergawi.

The support extended to investors and businesses by DED and its agencies as part of the government’s strategy to diversify the economy and maximise growth opportunities are also outlined in the study, which will be distributed in business forums and missions overseas.