Dubai has secured the top global position in attracting greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) projects within the cultural and creative sectors in 2024, reinforcing its status as a major international hub for the creative economy. The fDi Markets report confirms that Dubai has retained this ranking for a third consecutive year.
This milestone was achieved due to the emirate’s exceptional performance across various sub-sectors within the wider cultural and creative industries. In 2024, Dubai attracted 971 projects in this domain, with total FDI inflows amounting to AED18.86 billion and resulting in 23,517 new employment opportunities.
Dubai Culture highlighted the news in a social media post, stating that this accomplishment showcases the emirate’s robust legal and regulatory frameworks, advanced infrastructure, and the ambitious vision of its leadership, underpinned by strategies such as the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Creative Economy Strategy.
Global hub for the creative economy
Speaking on the achievement, Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), stated that Dubai ranked first globally in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI) project numbers within the cultural and creative sectors in 2024, maintaining its lead for a third straight year. Among 233 cities assessed in the report, Dubai surpassed other major international centres.
Sheikha Latifa emphasised that Dubai’s sustained progress in global competitiveness and its consolidation as a leader in the creative economy are a testament to the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai.
Dubai’s strong investment landscape has firmly established it as one of the world’s most dynamic and appealing locations for creative enterprise and innovative professionals. The city has cultivated a distinct cultural environment, turning it into a centre for creative development and a destination for forward-thinking talent.
