Foreign Direct Investment in Cultural and Creative Industries: Dubai’s 2024 Success
Dubai’s Leading Position in Global FDI
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 02, 2025—Dubai has once again claimed its title as the world’s leading destination for greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) in the cultural and creative industries (CCI). This remarkable achievement marks the third consecutive year that Dubai has topped the Financial Times’ fDi Markets ranking, consistently outperforming major global hubs such as London and Singapore.
Impressive Growth Figures
The 2024 report evaluated 233 cities within the ‘Creative Industries Cluster’ framework. Dubai attracted a staggering 971 CCI projects in 2024—an impressive 8% increase from the previous year. The capital inflows soared to AED 18.86 billion, reflecting a nearly 60% rise compared to 2023. Furthermore, this uptick resulted in the creation of 23,517 new jobs, representing a 9% annual increase.
Subsector Performance Breakdown
Each major subsector within the cultural and creative industries reported stronger performance in 2024. Notable growth emerged in areas such as advertising and public relations, film and media production, gaming, education, and advanced software design. According to the Dubai FDI Monitor, a significant 76.5% of all projects were greenfield, wholly-owned ventures. New forms of investment made up 15.4%, while reinvestment constituted 5.6%, and mergers and acquisitions accounted for the remaining 2.4%.
International Investment Landscape
The source of capital inflows paints a dynamic picture of global investor interest. The United States led with a commanding 23.2% share, followed closely by India at 13.4%, the United Kingdom at 9.4%, Switzerland at 7.6%, and Saudi Arabia at 4.8%. Interestingly, India not only ranked first in the number of projects (18.8%) but also in job creation (18.5%), highlighting the impact of Indian investment on Dubai’s creative scene. Additionally, countries like the UK, US, Germany, Italy, and France featured prominently across both metrics, showcasing a diverse international interest.
Enabling Business Environment
Investor confidence in Dubai is buoyed by the city’s proactive business reforms. Notably, the Executive Council Resolution 11 of 2025 allows free zone businesses to operate onshore, enhancing commercial flexibility. Meanwhile, the Zero Government Bureaucracy programme aims to streamline operations by reducing red tape across more than 2,000 federal procedures.
Regulatory Framework and Incentives
The combination of robust intellectual property protections and cutting-edge digital infrastructure has established a regulatory landscape characterized by efficiency, transparency, and ease of doing business. These factors play a pivotal role in attracting both local and international investors, enhancing Dubai’s appeal as a global hub for the creative industries.
Insights into Future Opportunities
The insights gathered from the report titled ‘Creative Dubai: Navigating Tomorrow’s Creative Landscape’ reveal exciting opportunities within the ecosystem. The report highlights investment hotspots in emerging fields such as design, immersive media, and AI-driven production. Dubai continues to offer investors a vibrant talent pool, competitive costs for business setups, and global connectivity, further solidifying its status as an incubator for creative innovation.
A Global Hub for Innovation
The 2024 FDI results not only underscore Dubai’s ascendancy as a global creative capital but also illustrate the emirate’s commitment to fostering an attractive environment for creative enterprises. The city’s strategic investments and supportive measures position it as a leading player on the world stage, geared towards nurturing innovation in various artistic and commercial spheres.
