Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, reaffirmed that Dubai’s commitment to enhancing its competitiveness and leadership is evident in its status as a global hub for the creative economy. This progress aligns with the visionary insights of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai. According to the “FDI Markets” report published by the Financial Times, a leading source for new direct investment project data, Dubai ranked first for the number of foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in the cultural and creative industries for 2024.
Dubai has maintained its position as the premier global destination for attracting new FDI projects in the cultural and creative sectors for the third consecutive year, outperforming 233 cities worldwide, including significant competitors like London and Singapore. These outcomes reflect the emirate’s performance in various sub-sectors within the creative industries, with Dubai successfully attracting 971 projects in this sector in 2024. This led to a total FDI capital influx reaching 18.86 billion AED, generating 23,517 new job opportunities.
These results stem from flexible government policies that support investment and enhance the appeal of Dubai as a preferred destination for investors, entrepreneurs, and innovative projects. Among these attractive policies is the recent Executive Council Decision No. (11) of 2025, issued by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, regarding the regulation of free zone entities to conduct business activities within the emirate. This allows free zone entities to expand their operations beyond their zones, provided they obtain the necessary permits from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, aligning with the ambitious objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).
Additionally, the “Zero Government Bureaucracy” (ZGB) program, aimed at simplifying government procedures and eliminating unnecessary requirements, has significantly improved governmental efficiency, quality, and flexibility. The launch of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority’s “International Art Exhibitions Grant” initiative at the beginning of this year has also bolstered local galleries and enhanced their participation in international events.
Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum emphasized that Dubai’s unique strategies and advanced policies have enriched its cultural and economic diversity, establishing it as a pivotal link in the global economy, a land of opportunities, and one of the best cities in the world for living, working, and visiting. She stated, “Thanks to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his ambitious strategic perspective, Dubai has developed an innovative cultural ecosystem that attracts the best talents from around the globe, creating a creative incubator for talent.” The emirate aims, through various plans and initiatives, to inspire innovation among the creative community members, investors, and entrepreneurs by meeting their needs and providing essential opportunities and incentives to transform their ideas into successful projects, enriching the local cultural landscape.
Her Highness praised the collaborative efforts that have propelled Dubai to the forefront of global FDI in the cultural and creative sectors, noting, “Foreign direct investment drives economic growth and opens doors for sustainable development, reflecting the emirate’s distinguished position on the international cultural map. Dubai continues to excel over major global cities due to its robust infrastructure, strategic location, and investment opportunities that bolster the creative sectors, which are vital for the creative economy and contribute to its rapid growth and appeal to investments and talent.”
The President of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority also highlighted that the emirate’s excellence in technological and innovative capabilities, efficient legal and regulatory frameworks, ease of capital movement within and outside the country, transparency in government systems, anti-corruption efforts, and the protection of investor rights and intellectual property have transformed it into a primary destination for trade, tourism, and investment.
Continuous Growth
According to the Dubai Foreign Investment Observatory’s data released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the emirate attracted 971 projects in the cultural and creative sectors in 2024, marking an 8% increase from the previous year, which recorded 898 projects. This growth resulted in a 60% increase in total FDI capital inflows to 18.86 billion AED. Furthermore, these projects generated 23,517 new job opportunities in 2024, representing a 9% rise compared to 2023.
This growth aligns with Dubai’s commitment to economic diversification, with key sub-sectors leading the way in attracting FDI including advertising and public relations, specialized computer programming services, education within the cultural and creative industries, commercial services in these fields, film and media production, gaming, advanced software design including AI and machine learning, as well as coatings and adhesive manufacturing.
In terms of source countries for FDI flows into Dubai’s cultural and creative sectors in 2024, data from the Dubai Investment Observatory shows that the United States ranked first with a 23.2% share, followed by India at 13.4%, the United Kingdom at 9.4%, Switzerland at 7.6%, and Saudi Arabia at 4.8%. India also led the number of FDI projects in 2024 related to the cultural and creative industries, accounting for 18.8%, followed by the United Kingdom at 16.3%, the United States at 14.2%, Germany at 4.2%, and Italy at 3.7%. This demonstrates Dubai’s strategies for this sector and its focus on these markets as key partners. India also topped the list of new job provision through FDI in cultural projects with 18.5%, followed by the USA at 14.6%, the UK at 13.6%, Germany at 4.3%, and France at 4%.
Additionally, the Dubai Investment Observatory reported that 76.5% of the new investment projects are fully owned, while 15.4% represent new types of investment, 5.6% are reinvestment projects, and 2.4% consist of mergers and acquisitions from the total FDI projects recorded in 2024.
Strategic Foundation
His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, stated: “Dubai’s global leadership in attracting new FDI projects, including those in the cultural and creative sectors, is a product of the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, facilitated by the precise implementation of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. While we strive to position Dubai among the top three economic cities in the world, we recognize that the creative economy is a strategic cornerstone for growth, enhancing competitiveness and innovation, and solidifying Dubai’s status as an attractive destination for global talent and investment.”
He added, “This sector integrates effectively with other vital sectors that have significant impacts, such as media, advanced industries, and tourism, facilitated by clear regulations, robust intellectual property protections, and the adoption of advanced technologies like AI, which provides broader economic value.”
On her part, Hala Badri, General Director of Dubai Culture, pointed out that Dubai’s top ranking in attracting FDI projects reflects its resilience and a promising investment environment that fosters creativity. It also highlights the strength of its regulations and legal frameworks, which have laid the groundwork for a sophisticated cultural ecosystem capable of attracting entrepreneurs and talents from across the globe. She said: “Dubai continues to solidify its leadership as one of the leading global centers for direct investment in cultural and creative sectors, thanks to its future aspirations, ability to diversify its economic sources, and the innovation of its initiatives, including the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to place the emirate among the top three economic cities, alongside the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy aimed at doubling the creative sector’s contribution to the emirate’s GDP to 5% by 2026.”
She further emphasized the commitment of “Dubai Culture” to opening up opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs, and creatives, empowering them to invest in the cultural and creative sectors. This is reflected in the results of the “Dubai Creative: Exploring Future Creative Horizons” report released by the authority at the end of last year, which aimed to provide an analytical perspective on the performance of the creative economy in the emirate and its diverse investment potentials.
Dubai’s superiority in attracting global creative investments signifies the importance of its investment environment, progressive regulatory framework, and commitment to enhancing innovation. As the sector continues to experience accelerated growth, the emirate persistently attracts global capital and enriches its cultural scene, consolidating its position as a global hub for the creative economy.