More than 80% plan to continue investment in Dubai

Dubai: More than 80 per cent of those who have invested in Dubai say they plan to maintain or increase their financial commitment to the emirate, a new survey has revealed.

"Dubai – The FDI destination of choice", released by the Foreign Investment Office (FIO) of the Dubai Economic Department, shows overall investor confidence in Dubai is high, despite the economic issues that many parts of the world are facing. 

Asked about their global investment budgets, 37 per cent of global investors indicate that they plan to decrease their investments.

Almost half of the investors who are planning to increase their investments in Dubai will reinvest in their current businesses.

"The general rule that the current investor is essential to future investment flows appears to hold true in Dubai. This is especially important in times of global turbulence when many investors seek new opportunities," said Fahad Al Gergawi, chief executive of the FIO.

The report finds that approximately 29 per cent of investors plan to enter into new joint ventures with local partners, and 14 per cent plan to acquire equity in local companies in order to grow their presence in the market.

The report highlights telecommunications and utilities as more attractive for investment than other sectors.

Dubai is also a top 10 choice amongst executives from the financial services industry, being the sixth-most important destination globally for future investments.

Non-financial service executives, representing companies from fields such as transportation, business services, health care, legal services and education, rank Dubai among the global top 20 FDI destinations.

Finally, primary industry investors rank Dubai above the global median, while both heavy and light manufacturing industries, rank Dubai below the global median.