Introduction

Dubai is located on the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in the southwest corner of the Arabian Gulf. Dubai is the second largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) sharing borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast, and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast.⁴

The emirate of Dubai covers an area of 4,114 square kilometres. Within the emirate, the city of Dubai covers an area of about 35 square kilometres but is expected to double in area with the addition of five man-made islands and the completion of desert construction work.⁵ The emirate has the highest population density in the UAE. According to the 2019 census, the population of Dubai was estimated at 3,295,334.⁶ Expatriates made up around 71 percent of the population.⁷

Economic Profile

Known as the “capital of UAE’s economy,” Dubai is a key financial and trading hub, and one of the fastest growing cities in the world.⁸ Helped by its strategic geographical location and “exceptional infrastructure”, Dubai has emerged as a prominent global trading city connecting markets around the world.⁹

In addition to its efficient infrastructure, Dubai has put in place economic policies and a legislative framework that has made it a conducive environment for over 20,000 international corporations to operate.¹⁰ Additionally, Dubai invested heavily in infrastructure and hospitality projects for the Expo 2020 trade fair, including the expansion of the Al Maktoum International Airport at an estimated cost of US$8 billion.