In 2020, Dubai was ranked 1st in MENA and 4th globally in Global Greenfield FDI Capital, according to fDi Markets by Financial Times with AED 24.7 billion in FDI Capital attracted through 455 FDI Projects. The Emirate also ranked 1st in MENA and 3rd globally in Global Greenfield FDI Projects in 2020 and exceeded the average number of FDI projects attracted over the last five years. “Dubai’s unique value proposition to investors as a city of the future, a gateway to the region and a global economic hub has allowed us to not only achieve solid FDI results for Dubai during the peak of the pandemic, but also enabled Dubai to become one of the FDI Global Cities of the Future 2021/2022, according to fDi Intelligence Magazine, where Dubai ranked 3rd globally overall, and second globally amongst the major cities as a future FDI location” said Mr. Fahad AlGergawi, CEO of Dubai FDI, Dubai’s Investment Development Agency. In 2020, Dubai also ranked 4th globally in Greenfield FDI Re-Investment projects, which is a main indicator for the investors’ confidence in Dubai’s vibrant and dynamic ecosystem.
“In 2021, we are already witnessing an upwards trend in FDI Capital and FDI Projects, with FDI levels above the already solid results of 2020, which is proof that the right government strategies are in place, addressing the global pandemic and bringing Dubai and the UAE back on track towards a stable recovery. Dubai Expo 2020, which will run from October 2021 to March 2022 is, hereby, another economic accelerator and a symbol for Dubai’s striving future-oriented vision as a safe and sustainable location for investors” added Mr. AlGergawi.
The beauty of investing in Dubai is that Dubai offers an opportunity for everyone. From the traditionally strong economic sectors such as Logistics, Healthcare, Tourism and Hospitality up to the latest technology in Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Transportation and Sustainability, there is always an opportunity to invest in Dubai, on the mainland or in one of more than 25 free zones. With the latest investor incentives including investor visas and the revised commercial law allowing 100% foreign ownership on the mainland, Dubai has once more taken a step towards offering investors and businesses an even bigger opportunity.
The Abraham Accords are certainly a milestone in the historic development between the UAE and Israel. “We have seen an increasing number of visitors from Israel to Dubai, in both tourism and business-related travel. At Dubai FDI we work closely with several partners in Israel. We have already signed an MoU with the Manufacturers’ Association of Israel (MAI), as Manufacturing is one of the main priority sectors for investors in Dubai” highlighted Mr. AlGergawi.
Exchanging knowledge between the two locations in Healthcare, Technology and Innovation is crucial for the success of this partnership. Since the Abraham Accords are in place, Dubai has attracted almost AED 1 billion in FDI from Israel, which is a fantastic success story itself. “75% of these investment projects were High- or Medium-Tech projects, which is a clear indicator that innovative Israeli companies are tapping into the market opportunities in Dubai, utilizing our world-class digital infrastructure and strategic geographic location” he added, continuing to mention that “numerous business events and conferences emphasizing the partnership between the UAE and Israel have strengthened the relationship between the two countries further and allowed us to closely engage with Israeli investors to better understand their needs and how we can support them to succeed in Dubai.”
Since the Abraham Accords are in place, Dubai has attracted almost AED 1 billion in FDI from Israel, which is a fantastic success story itself.
Fahad AlGergawi
The team at Dubai FDI has digitized all investor services to allow a smooth investor journey. Dubai’s unique value proposition, which is referred to as The Dubai Advantage, is certainly what will be most interesting to Israeli investors, as it does not only allow to tap into the business opportunities in Dubai, but also using Dubai as a platform to expand to Asia and Africa through having the operational headquarters in Dubai. With 0% income tax, numerous investor incentives and a stable and future-oriented legislation, Dubai is home to almost 200 nationalities, a vast talent pool for investors and at the same time, one of the safest cities in the world. “Dubai is open and we are welcoming everyone to see Dubai and explore the endless opportunities themselves” said Mr. AlGergawi.
“I am proud for every investor and every individual that comes to Dubai to build their future. In 2021 the UAE marks its 50th anniversary, a great occasion to remember the vision, principles and the great wisdom of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founder of the UAE. Dubai has witnessed a tremendous growth story over the last decades. The people of the UAE and Dubai are welcoming you and I hope we can build on the success of the last year and continue to strive together” the CEO concluded.
