Why Dubai?
The first recorded mention of Dubai was almost one thousand years ago, but there was not a major settlement in the area until the 1930s, and it was only with the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971 that the modern emirate of Dubai emerged.
The area has since gone through a remarkable transformation. Over the last few decades, it has rapidly grown into a major international centre for business and finance.
Key to this progress has been an enormous commitment to building up local infrastructure, and today Dubai boasts a number of internationally renowned real estate development projects, including some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers, such as the Emirates Towers, the Burj Dubai and the Palm Islands.
Transportation has also been key. Dubai has invested wisely, to capitalise on its location as a crossroads between Europe, Africa and Asia. Over 34 million passengers travelled through Dubai International Airport in 2007, and the airport continues to undergo expansion. The local bus system transported more than 90 million people in 2006 and a $4 billion metro project is under construction. The Emirate has also built up a vast highway network.
Multi-nationals and other foreign investors have also been attracted by local government policy friendly to business, with a number of tax-free zones throughout Dubai.
A local stock exchange, the Dubai Financial Market, has grown rapidly since its formation less than a decade ago, and today has a market capitalisation of over $360 billion.
A truly international meeting place, Dubai is an ideal venue for the Russia Investment Roadshow, offering Russian companies an opportunity to meet potential investors and other partners from all over the world.
