Dubai Culture and Arts Authority announced that Dubai retained its position as the world’s leading destination for new foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) in 2025. The emirate ranked first globally for the fourth consecutive year, topping a list of 233 cities compiled by the Financial Times’ fDi Markets.

Investment inflows and job creation

In 2025, Dubai attracted 754 new projects in the sector, with greenfield FDI capital inflows reaching $3.756 billion. These investments generated 19,304 jobs, reinforcing the emirate’s status as a hub for creative businesses and talent. Based on the Financial Times’ definition of creative industries, Dubai ranked first globally for both project numbers and job creation, and second for greenfield FDI capital inflows.

The growth was broad-based, spanning advertising, specialised computer programming, data processing, film, media, gaming, AI-powered creative technologies, creative education, professional services, design, architecture, crafts, performing arts, and museums.

Source countries for capital and projects

India emerged as the largest source of greenfield FDI capital inflows into Dubai’s cultural and creative industries, accounting for 19% of the total. The United States followed at 17.5%, China at 13%, Malaysia at 12%, and the United Kingdom at 9%.

By project numbers, the distribution differed slightly, with the United Kingdom leading the count.

What the numbers show

A divergence exists between capital concentration and project volume among key investors. While India provided the largest share of capital at 19%, the United Kingdom led in project volume with a 21.5% share, surpassing India’s 21%. This suggests that UK entities may be deploying slightly smaller average ticket sizes per project compared to Indian investors, or that the nature of UK investments involves a higher frequency of smaller-scale ventures within the creative ecosystem.

Strategic drivers

The authority attributed this performance to an investment environment offering full foreign ownership, efficient business setup, specialised creative clusters, long-term residency pathways, and advanced digital infrastructure. These factors align with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy, which aim to strengthen the emirate’s position as a global destination for creative industry investment.

Dubai is planning to develop a new port intended to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by the Financial Times. The development signals a notable strategic infrastructure initiative by the emirate, aimed at establishing an alternative maritime route that circumvents one of the world's most critical and geopolitically sensitive shipping chokepoints.

Strategic Infrastructure Development

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and serves as a vital passage for a significant share of global energy shipments. A new port designed to bypass this strait would represent a major shift in regional maritime logistics and trade routing. Dubai's reported plans underscore the emirate's continued focus on strengthening its position as a leading global trade and logistics hub.

Source and Scope of Report

The report, attributed to the Financial Times, provides limited additional details regarding the scope, timeline, or financial parameters of the proposed port project. The available source data does not include specific investment figures, construction timelines, or operational details related to the planned facility.

Key Highlights

• Dubai is planning a new port to provide an alternative maritime route bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
• The report was published by the Financial Times.
• No specific financial figures, investment amounts, or project timelines were disclosed in the available source data.
• The initiative aligns with Dubai's broader ambitions as a global trade and logistics center.

The planned port, if developed, could have wide-ranging implications for regional trade flows and maritime infrastructure. Further details on the project's scope and financials are expected to emerge as the plan progresses.