The Middle East

With tourist numbers growing year-on-year and the prospect of a huge event just five years away, optimism is prevalent in Dubai’s hospitality sector. At the same time, as new hotels, apartments and holiday villas are built, there are fears in some quarters that the emirate may create a glut in supply.

While the regulation of tourism at the local level rests with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Management (DTCM), new federal regulations from the UAE’s Department of Naturalisation, Residency and Ports Affairs in August 2014, could have an impact on visitor numbers to Dubai.

The automotive sector in Dubai has seen some spectacular growth in recent times, with a recent and widespread economic recovery and the new mood of consumer optimism driving domestic demand.

The fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) subsector has come in for special focus in recent times, with Dubai seeking to reduce its bills for imported food and beverages (F&B), while also growing its own business and employment opportunities – and by doing so, also tackling growing concerns about food security.

Recent times have seen Dubai’s industrial sector emerge from the downside of the 2008-09 global crisis, with order books growing and confidence returning. The expectation of major future business is also strong, particularly since the emirate was awarded Expo 2020. Though there is an underlying mood of caution among many, this new conservatism has been generally positive...

Over the past decade, Dubai has made great strides in opening up new avenues for economic growth, becoming a strategic hub for international businesses to reach nearby emerging markets. This development has been guided by an economic diversification plan focused on key sectors that can accelerate growth, not only in Dubai and the UAE, but also the entire region....