H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, emphasized that Dubai’s rise as a global leader in the creative economy is a result of the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
She highlighted that, according to the Financial Times’ ‘fDi Markets,’ Dubai secured its top global ranking for the third consecutive year in 2024, attracting the most foreign direct investment (FDI) in cultural and creative industries (CCI), solidifying the emirate’s role in fostering a sustainable and innovation-driven creative economy.
In 2024, Dubai outperformed other major cities, including London and Singapore, with 971 FDI projects in CCI, which brought in AED18.86 billion in investment and created 23,517 new jobs. This success is attributed to flexible government policies such as Executive Council Resolution No. (11) of 2025 and initiatives like the ‘Zero Government Bureaucracy’ program, which aim to simplify regulations, improve efficiency, and create a favorable environment for investors and entrepreneurs.
The city’s strong performance across various CCI sub-sectors, including advertising, media, technology, and software design, has been a driving factor, reports WAM. The United States, India, and the United Kingdom were the top FDI sources for Dubai’s cultural and creative industries in 2024, reflecting the city’s strategic approach to global partnerships.
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), credited Dubai’s position as a top destination for FDI to the disciplined execution of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. He emphasized that the creative economy plays a critical role in boosting innovation and competitiveness while attracting global talent and investment.
Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture, highlighted that Dubai’s ability to attract a significant number of FDI projects stems from its supportive investment environment, strong legal frameworks, and forward-thinking strategies like the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy. This strategy aims to increase the creative sector’s contribution to Dubai’s GDP to 5% by 2026.
Dubai’s ongoing success in the creative economy underscores the effectiveness of its regulatory frameworks, innovative initiatives, and commitment to nurturing a dynamic cultural and business ecosystem. The emirate’s status as a global hub for creativity and investment continues to strengthen, attracting global capital and driving the growth of its cultural industries.
