Dubai tops global FDI rankings in creative industries for third year
Dubai has retained its position as the top global destination for Greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) in the cultural and creative industries (CCI) for the third consecutive year, according to data from the Financial Times.
The emirate attracted 971 FDI projects in the sector during 2024, marking an 8% increase from the previous year’s 898 projects. These projects brought in AED18.86 billion in capital inflows, reflecting a nearly 60% year-on-year rise. The investments resulted in 23,517 new jobs, a 9% increase compared to 2023.
According to the Dubai FDI monitor and the Dubai framework for cultural statistics, the majority of these projects (76.5%) were Greenfield and wholly owned. Other forms of investment included new models (15.4%), reinvestment projects (5.6%), and mergers and acquisitions (2.4%).
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Muhammad Ali Bandial