About Dubai

Dubai, with its ancient commercial and seafaring traditions, has long been recognised as the trading hub for the Gulf and the wider Middle East. The Emirate has changed dramatically over the last three decades, becoming a major business centre with a dynamic and diversified economy.

Dubai’s key location, low operating costs and excellent infrastructure create an ideal investment climate. Trade, transport, tourism, technology and finance have shown steady growth and given the economy a high degree of expansion and diversification.

Dubai is in the northeast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast, and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast. In the west, its coastline borders the Arabian Gulf.

Why choose Dubai as an investment location?

Dubai is the region's leading multi-purpose business centre and regional trading hub, and one of the world's foremost emerging markets. It offers low operating costs with world-class facilities and infrastructure and a stable, business-focused and diversified economy.

Dubai's key advantages

Dubai’s strategic location forms a gateway to an emerging market with a strong commercial tradition, rapidly developing as a base for both manufacturing and foreign trade. It is politically and economically stable, with an open, liberal economic system and world-class infrastructure and services. It has very competitive operational costs, yet offers a high standard of living.

Strategic location

Dubai is midway between the time zones of Europe and the Far East, and the CIS and Africa. It is served by over 120 shipping lines and 85 airlines and has trading links across 179 states. The UAE is the world's third-largest export and re-export centre, after Hong Kong and Singapore.

Political and economic stability

The UAE is a low-crime, politically and financially stable country. Its well-developed, sophisticated banking system features extensive credit facilities and ample liquidity and the open economy is welcoming to investors. 100% repatriation of capital and profits is permitted and foreigners are permitted ownership rights.

World-class infrastructure and services

Dubai has invested heavily in transport, telecommunications, energy and industrial infrastructure. This includes world-class seaports, an international airport and state-of-the-art telecoms, power and utilities, with a sophisticated service sector.

Competitive operating costs

Companies setting up in Dubai will find costs are extremely low, due to:

  • No foreign exchange controls
  • No trade barriers or quotas
  • Competitive import duties
  • Competitive labour costs with highly-skilled workers
  • Competitive energy costs
  • Competitive real estate costs
  • Competitive financing costs and high levels of liquidity
  • No corporate profit or personal income taxes (except for oil companies and foreign banks)

High quality of living

You will find high-quality hotels, residential and commercial properties, and recreational facilities. Excellent infrastructural facilities combine with low crime, modern public administration and an atmosphere of tolerance and cultural diversity.