Dubai’s gaming industry is on the brink of a significant expansion, with ambitious plans to create 30,000 new jobs and inject $1 billion into the city’s GDP by 2033. This growth is part of a broader strategy to position Dubai as a global leader in the gaming sector, and recent initiatives indicate that the city is well on its way to achieving this goal.
In a recent workshop organized by Dubai Chambers in collaboration with the Dubai Future Foundation, key stakeholders from the gaming industry gathered to explore the emerging opportunities within the sector.
The workshop was centered around the Program for Gaming 2033, a visionary initiative designed to propel Dubai into the ranks of the top 10 global hubs for gaming. This program not only aims to create thousands of jobs but also seeks to bolster the digital economy and significantly increase the gaming sector’s contribution to Dubai’s GDP.
The event attracted a diverse group of participants, including representatives from game development companies, experts in artificial intelligence, hardware specialists, and professionals from the sales and marketing sectors. Together, they discussed strategies to enhance the economic value of the gaming industry in Dubai and to solidify the city’s competitiveness on the global stage. Moreover, they explored various approaches to achieve these goals.
Maha Al Gargawi, Vice President of Business Advocacy at Dubai Chambers, highlighted the strategic importance of the gaming sector: “The Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 contributes to achieving a quantum leap in the sector in Dubai and developing its global competitiveness, enhancing the emirate’s leadership as an attractive destination for businesses, entrepreneurs, and experts across all disciplines within the sector.”
During the workshop, the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of the three chambers operating under Chambers, emphasized the gaming sector’s role in the upcoming Expand North Star event.
This event, the world’s largest gathering of startups and investors, is set to take place at Dubai Harbour from October 13-16. It promises to showcase Dubai’s growing influence in the gaming industry and to attract significant interest from international investors and entrepreneurs.
Additionally, the session explored the “App Olympics” competition, an integral part of the Create Apps in initiative. This competition highlights the increasing relevance of gaming in Dubai’s digital landscape and its potential to drive innovation within the sector. During the workshop, a panel discussion led by representatives from the Dubai Future Foundation additionally provided insights into the allocation of resources as well as the policies governing the gaming industry in Dubai.
The workshop concluded with a focus on collaboration, as participants shared fresh perspectives on how Dubai can compete with more established and better-funded gaming markets globally. Discussions also reviewed the ongoing efforts by Dubai authorities to support the development of the gaming sector, paving the way for greater industry growth and international recognition.
As progressively continues to implement its ambitious plans, the city is increasingly set to become a powerhouse in the global gaming industry, thereby attracting businesses, entrepreneurs, and experts from around the world.