The Report Dubai 2014

In many respects 2014 marked the transition from strong recovery to promising growth for Dubai. With many exciting projects in the pipeline, not least the hosting of Expo 2020, the emirate is continuing to build on its reputation as a dynamic and international centre for business. Already a regional and global centre for business and finance, Dubai’s reputation has been bolstered by the MSCI’s decision to upgrade the UAE from frontier to emerging market status in 2014, while the emirate’s successful Expo 2020 bid is expected to generate myriad opportunities for private investors across a range of sectors. Construction is thriving once again, driven in large part by strong retail sector growth, with various projects, including plans for the world’s largest mall, indicating that the sector will maintain its position as the emirate’s biggest GDP contributor moving forward. The transport and logistics framework is set for major expansion in the coming years as well, furthering cementing the emirate’s status as a leading transport and logistics hub not just regionally, but globally too. The continued development of Dubai’s retail and hospitality offerings, alongside the upgrades to its airports, should help to ensure robust growth in visitor numbers from both the region and further afield.