Dubai World, one of Dubai government's investment arms, is engaged in five business segments through subsidiaries in transport and logistics, dry-docks and maritime, urban development, investment and financial services, and energy and natural resources.

Ports and Free Zone World is the logistics and transport arm of Dubai World; it is the holding company for DP WorldDP World and Economic Zones WorldEconomic Zones World. DP WorldDP World operates and manages container terminals, handling 46.8 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) worldwide, as of 2008. Economic Zones WorldEconomic Zones World operates and develops free trade zones.

Drydocks and Maritime World, the holding company for Drydocks WorldDrydocks World and Dubai Maritime CityDubai Maritime City, provides repair, maintenance and shipbuilding services in the UAE, Singapore, Indonesia, Sweden and Japan. Dubai Maritime CityDubai Maritime City provides infrastructure, services and regulation for the maritime industry in Dubai.

Dubai World divides its real estate business into three independent entities; NakheelNakheel, LimitlessLimitless and Leisurcorp. NakheelNakheel develops real estate mixed-used and community developments in Dubai. LimitlessLimitless undertakes projects in Dubai, Malaysia, Indonesia, Russia and other countries. Leisurecorp develops tourist venues like golf courses in Dubai and in the United States.

Istithmar WorldIstithmar World is the financial and investment arm of Dubai World and the holding company of three subsidiaries: Istithmar World CapitalIstithmar World Capital, which provides private equity investments; Istithmar World VenturesIstithmar World Ventures, a venture capital company in the areas of technology, media and telecom, life sciences, education and agribusiness and Istithmar WorldIstithmar World Aviations invests in the aviation sector.
Dubai Multi Commodities CentreDubai Multi Commodities Centre is directly owned by Dubai World as a free trade zone center for gold and precious metals, pearls and colored stones, steel and base metals, diamonds and other commodities exchange.

Dubai World established Dubai Natural Resources World as a holding company for Dubai Energy World, Dubai Mining World and Dubai Agriculture World. The companies invest in mining, oil and gas, alternative energy, agriculture, water, carbon trading.