Dubai ranked first globally for the number of new foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in the cultural and creative industries for a fourth consecutive year in 2025, attracting 754 projects and creating more than 19,300 jobs, according to Financial Times’ fDi Markets data.
The cultural and creative industries encompass sectors including advertising and public relations, computer programming, data processing and digital services, film, media and gaming, artificial intelligence, education, design and architecture, performing arts and entertainment.
The emirate ranked even ahead of London (UK), Singapore, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) and Bengaluru (India) among 233 cities tracked by the index, while FDI capital inflows into its cultural and creative industries reached $3.76 billion, stated the fDi report.
Also it stood second globally for FDI capital inflows in the sector, the Dubai government said in a statement on Tuesday.
India was the largest source of greenfield FDI capital into Dubai’s cultural and creative industries last year accounting for 19% of inflows, followed by the US at 17.5%, China at 13%, Malaysia at 12% and Britain at 9%.
Britain accounted for the largest share of projects at 21.5%, followed by India at 21%, the US at 14% and France at 4%.
The performance reflects Dubai’s efforts to expand its creative economy beyond traditional cultural activities into digital content, creative technology, artificial intelligence and data-driven services, the statement said.
Dubai has sought to attract foreign investors through policies including full foreign ownership, specialised creative and technology clusters, residency programmes for talent, digital and logistics infrastructure and access to regional and international markets.
On the key achievement, Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said the results reflected the continued development of the emirate’s cultural and creative ecosystem and growing contribution to its broader economic and development ambitions.
Dubai’s creative economy strategy forms part of the emirate’s broader Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to strengthen the city’s position as a global business and investment hub.
This performance, which is in alignment with the Dubai Cultural Statistics Framework, surpassed London (227 projects), Singapore (197), Riyadh (157), and Bengaluru (132). Consequently, greenfield FDI capital inflows into the sector rose to $3.756 billion.
“Over the years, Dubai has worked to create an environment where innovation and entrepreneurship can thrive together, enabling talent, ideas, and investment to intersect in meaningful and sustainable ways,” she stated.
“What is particularly encouraging is the diversity and maturity of the sectors driving this growth today; we are witnessing a clear shift towards industries connected to digital content, creative technology, artificial intelligence, and emerging creative services, reflecting how culture and creativity continue to evolve alongside technological and economic transformation,” she added.
Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, said: “This achievement is underpinned by a dynamic ecosystem in which creativity, advanced technology and enterprise converge to create sustainable economic value, high-quality employment opportunities and new avenues for growth.”
“Supported by world-class connectivity and a future-ready business environment, Dubai continues to provide an exceptional platform for creative industries to scale, innovate and succeed,” noted Almarri.
“These results advance the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, and further reinforce Dubai’s standing as a leading global destination for business, investment and innovation,” he added.
Hala Badri, the director general of Dubai Culture, said the figures highlighted the maturity of Dubai’s creative ecosystem and its ability to generate opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs and talent.
“Dubai has successfully developed its creative sector into a vital economic contributor, characterised by strong growth potential and supported by an enabling environment that nurtures ideas and provides talent and entrepreneurs with access to facilities and opportunities that empower them to grow and scale their businesses,” she added.
The fDi Markets data tracks announced greenfield foreign direct investment projects and is widely used to assess cross-border investment trends.
The index reflects the rapid shift in Dubai’s creative economy, moving from traditional cultural sectors towards industries centred on digital content, creative technology, artificial intelligence, and data-driven services.-TradeArabia News Service