Dubai has once again established itself as the premier destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) globally, topping the Financial Times Ltd’s ‘fDi Markets’ rankings for Greenfield FDI projects in 2023.
This marks the third consecutive year Dubai has maintained this position. The city leads worldwide in attracting Greenfield FDI projects across key sectors such as consumer goods, energy, e-commerce, and tourism, excelling in areas of project attraction, capital inflow, and job creation through FDI.
This achievement aligns with the objectives set forth in the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which aims to double Dubai’s economy by 2033.
In 2023 alone, Dubai attracted 1,070 Greenfield FDI projects, significantly outperforming Singapore and London, which attracted 442 and 431 projects respectively. Over the last five years, Dubai’s share of the global Greenfield FDI market has surged from 1.7% in 2019 to 6% in 2023.
Dubai also continues to be a favored location for global headquarters, leading in HQ FDI projects for the second consecutive year with 60 projects in 2023.
Additionally, Dubai has risen in the global rankings for job creation through inward FDI to fourth place, and it now stands fifth in attracting Greenfield FDI capital, improving from the seventh position.
