US, UK, and India are major FDI source countries

Dubai, 28 March 2015: Infrastructure development initiatives and the services industries remained the major drivers of capital into Dubai in 2014 as the emirate witnessed AED 28.6 billion (US$ 7.8 billion) in foreign direct investment (FDI).

Estimates by Dubai Investment Development Agency (Dubai FDI), an agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED), shows that the USA, the UK, India and other European countries such as France and Germany were major source markets.

With clear signs of recovery and iconic projects on board, the Real Estate sector, Financial Services, Hotels and Tourism, Alternative/Renewable Energy, Business Services, Software and IT Services were the top sectors together accounting for 78 per cent of investment, or AED 22 billion in 2014. These sectors also claimed 133 projects, half of the total FDI projects in 2014.

"The latest FDI figures once again prove that Dubai remains the preferred and ideal destination for investors and businessmen, who have confidence in the national economy, which is witnessing steady growth in various sectors. Dubai hosting the Expo 2020 has stimulated a major influx of investors and growth opportunities. We welcome all kinds of investments and global companies that are looking for stability and business development in an integrated investment environment," commented His Excellency Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of DED.

"A strategic message we have been sending out to investors worldwide is the importance of being in Dubai to grow and expand. From the top FDI sectors in Dubai and projects of scale it is evident that there is growing realisation of Dubai's ability to facilitate business and competitively serve an expanding consumer market spread across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia," added Fahad Al Gergawi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai FDI.

Projects aimed at the regional market captured 84 per cent of the investments in 2014 while the domestic (15%), sub-regional (1.6%) and global (1.1%) markets followed in that order.

With more and more businesses establishing their international and regional hubs in Dubai, Headquarters was one of the top five business activities. Sales, Marketing & Support, Business Services, Logistics, Distribution & Transportation and Manufacturing were the others leading in a total of 10 activities in terms of the number of projects attracted.

Out of a total of 41 source countries, the top ones - US, UK, India, Netherlands, Germany and Italy - generated a total of AED 23.9 billion throughout the year across 141 projects. In terms of investment, these countries represented almost 84 per cent of the total FDI for the whole year and 59 per cent of the total in terms of the number of projects.

-Ends-

About Dubai FDI:
The Dubai Investment Development Agency (Dubai FDI), an agency of the Department of Economic Development (DED), works to promote investment opportunities in Dubai and support international investors to establish a presence here whilst taking advantage of Dubai's strategic location to access the MENASA region. Dubai FDI assists in the identification of sector specific opportunities, provide connections to a network of both government and non-government partners, and provide support throughout the investment lifecycle from setup to growth.

For further information, please contact:
Faisal Shamsudheen                                                                                                           
Government Communication Division,
Department of Economic Development                         
Tel: (971 4) 455927
Email: faisal.pathiasseri@dubaided.gov.ae

© Press Release 2015