Dubai is gearing up for a major transformation that will position it as a leading catalyst for economic growth, global tourism attraction, and a critical transport hub connecting continents. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, recently approved major projects that are essential for this transformation. Moreover, he highlighted the integral role of the AED128 billion ($35 billion) investment in Al Maktoum International Airport’s expansion.
During a meeting of the Executive Council at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, Sheikh Hamdan said: “Dubai is investing in the future and is leading global tourism following the announcement to build the world’s largest airport with an AED128 billion investment and a capacity for 260 million passengers annually.”
Highlighting the importance of community participation, Sheikh Hamdan stressed the need for balanced economic and social development. He emphasized the crucial role of Dubai’s community in shaping the city’s future, underscoring the commitment to inclusive growth and progress.
Tourism sector performance and expansion
The Executive Council meeting featured a presentation by Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), who showcased the robust performance of Dubai’s tourism sector. With segments ranging from leisure and cultural tourism to eco-tourism and medical tourism, Dubai will further expand its tourism offerings. With the upcoming expansion, Al Maktoum International Airport is set to become the world’s largest airport. Therefore, it will play a pivotal role in supporting Dubai’s ambition to become one of the world’s top three global tourism destinations.
Commercial Transport Strategy 2030
In line with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), the Executive Council also approved the Commercial Transport Strategy 2030, which aims to bolster the contribution of the commercial transport and logistics sector to the emirate’s economy. Additionally, initiatives to improve traffic flow and enhance public transportation underscore Dubai’s commitment to fostering business efficiency and enhancing the quality of life for its residents.
The strategy aims to almost double the commercial transport and logistics sector’s contribution to Dubai’s economy to AED16.8 billion. Moreover, it seeks to increase technology adoption in infrastructure by 75 percent, reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent, and improve operational efficiency by 10 percent.
Pioneering the data center economy
In a bid to position Dubai as a leading destination for the future economy, the Executive Council approved strategic measures to boost the data center economy. With a focus on high-performance computing, liquid cooling systems, and renewable energy by 2028, Dubai aims to become a hub for sustainable data centers that utilize artificial intelligence (AI) applications and next-generation networking technologies. This initiative aims to increase Dubai’s data capacity fivefold and enhance its value by AED14.3 billion annually. Moreover, it aims to solidify Dubai’s position as a regional data industry hub.
Read: UAE introduces new framework to boost public-private partnership projects
Community engagement
The Executive Council also approved the Community Participation Policy. This policy aims to enhance community engagement in shaping policy, legislation, and government services. This initiative also seeks to improve the quality of services by aligning them with community needs and expectations, thereby fostering cooperation between stakeholders and enhancing the quality of life for all Dubai residents.
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