Dubai secured the top global spot for Greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) for the fourth consecutive year in 2025, according to data from the Financial Times’ fDi Markets. The emirate attracted 754 new creative projects, creating 19,304 jobs and generating $3.756 billion in capital inflows. Ranking ahead of major global cities—including London (227 projects), Singapore (197), Riyadh (157), and Bengaluru (132)—Dubai also maintained second place globally for total FDI capital inflows within the sector.
Growth across the emirate’s creative ecosystem was driven by diverse sub-sectors, ranging from advertising, architecture, and design to high-tech fields like digital content, artificial intelligence, and specialized programming. India was the largest contributor of capital inflows at 19%, followed by the United States (17.5%), China (13%), Malaysia (12%), and the United Kingdom (9%). However, the UK led in terms of total project volume at 21.5%, closely followed by India (21%), the US (14%), and France (4%).
Leadership figures, including H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture, attributed these results to long-term economic frameworks such as the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai Creative Economy Strategy. Officials highlighted that investor-friendly policies—including 100% foreign ownership, long-term residency pathways, and specialized technology clusters—have positioned Dubai as a global incubator where creativity, technology, and capital converge.
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