Starting a Business in Dubai
In 2025, 1,253 new businesses were launched from scratch in Dubai, earning the Emirati city the global top spot for the fifth consecutive year in terms of the number of newly established companies: a 10.5% increase over 2024. These are so-called greenfield companies—that is, those established without mergers or acquisitions of existing companies. Dubai’s ecosystem thus accounts for 7% of the global share of projects of this type.
Why start a business in Dubai? Agile regulations, excellent digital infrastructure, and access to top talent
This is a success for the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), the strategic plan aimed at doubling the size of the local economy by 2033. “Investors recognize that Dubai offers a unique combination of agile regulation, world-class digital infrastructure, and access to the best global talent. As we continue to advance the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, business activity and expansion momentum remain strong, confirming our forecasts of an acceleration in 2026 and beyond,” comments Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC).
In 2025, foreign investment to establish companies in Dubai—including venture capital activities—totaled $8.83 billion, supporting the creation of 38,918 jobs (+18.8% compared to 2024). GDP also grew by 5.4%, with an acceleration in the last quarter of the year to +6.4%.
Elal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), explains: “This performance underscores the strength of Dubai’s diversified economy, the depth of public-private partnerships, and the effectiveness of a forward-looking and well-defined regulatory framework, which continues to attract high-quality investments in priority sectors. These results further reinforce the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, highlighting Dubai’s position as one of the most resilient investment destinations in the world.”
Dubai’s Resilience
Local authorities have launched a 620 million euro economic stimulus package to mitigate the effects of market volatility: tax payment deferrals for the retail, licensing, and hospitality sectors; extensions of duty-free periods; streamlined procedures for issuing residence permits; and targeted measures to retain professionals and specialized talent within the economy.
Helal Saeed Almarri: “Dubai’s ability to maintain its global leadership in attracting greenfield foreign direct investment for the fifth consecutive year attests to the strategic vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, and the continued confidence that international investors place in the emirate. Although global markets have faced significant challenges in recent months, Dubai entered this period with measurable momentum, attracting record levels of capital that have provided a solid foundation for sustained growth. This clearly reflects the confidence that investors and multinational corporations have in our ecosystem.”
As Hadi Badri notes, “The scale and quality of foreign direct investment flows in 2025 reflect continued global confidence in Dubai’s long-term growth trajectory. The steady influx of capital further demonstrates that investors are consolidating their operational presence rather than adopting short-term positioning strategies.”
In which sectors should you start a company in Dubai? Those anticipating structural changes in the global economy
The artificial intelligence and advanced technologies sector leads the way (for the fourth consecutive year, Dubai has maintained its top ranking for those looking to start a business in this sector). But the data also show a strong presence in both traditional and innovative clusters such as electronics, life sciences, financial services, clean technologies, and manufacturing. For the first time, the manufacturing sector has reached the top of the global rankings for projects attracted. As for logistics and trade, infrastructure development has supported Dubai’s leadership in the freight transport and storage segments, particularly in the healthcare, industrial machinery, and e-commerce sectors.
Hadi Badri: “From corporate headquarters and high-value manufacturing to artificial intelligence, FinTech, logistics, and the creative industries, the diversity and quality of investment flows demonstrate Dubai’s ability to anticipate structural changes in the global economy.”
Who is investing in Dubai?
Everyone except Africa and Latin America: North America, Europe, Asia, and countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait).
