Industry

Easy access to air and sea transport, combined with expansions at the Jebel Ali Port and of the national airline, has helped establish Dubai’s position as both a trans-shipment hub and a destination for export industries. The industrial sector continues to provide a major contribution to non-oil GDP, with heavy industries able to take advantage of low energy prices. The emirate’s free zones are perhaps the most important driver of manufacturing growth, responsible for around 75% of exports and more than 25% of Dubai’s GDP in 2012. Key outputs, including refined petrochemicals products (plastics, fertilisers, synthetics), aluminium, precious metals and processed foods, are expected to trend positively throughout 2014, buoyed by strong economic fundamentals and major planned infrastructure and development projects.