Over the last ten years, the UAE’s primary destination for business and quality of life has evolved from a regional hub to a global destination. The two cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi now compete alongside London, Singapore and New York regarding global competitiveness and lifestyle indexes. It is widely recognised that Dubai and Abu Dhabi have become increasingly attractive to families and to expatriates, both through economic incentives and through the opportunity to live in an established, high-standard, international quality of living. Recent UAE Latest News highlights how these developments continue to position the country as a leading global hub.
information technology to renewable energy, and investments in the growth of tourism
As a result of its success in creating a diversified economy, the UAE has fostered an environment where all residents, both Emiratis and foreigners, benefit from a high quality of life. This combination of opportunity and high living standards is extremely appealing to multinational corporations that are relocating their headquarters, and also to companies developing a startup environment, as well as to highly skilled and sought-after global talent who are choosing to establish their next career path.
Economic Incentives That Attract Global Business
One of the Singapore UAE’s most attractive aspects is its highly developed business-friendly environment; a combination of long-term visas, investor-friendly laws and regulations, and strategic free zones that allow 100% foreign-owned corporations to operate in the UAE all contribute to Dubai being home to an increasing number of global businesses expanding and relocating to the UAE. As a result of being ranked highly by the World Bank for ease of doing business and multiple foreign direct investment (FDI) indices, the UAE consistently ranks ahead of other regional markets.
Technology giants, consulting firms, and financial institutions are all increasing their footprint in the UAE. Amazon’s new AWS operations launched in Dubai, and Microsoft is expanding its data centre capacity in the UAE; these initiatives illustrate the confidence that both companies have in the region’s infrastructure and connectivity. Strong intellectual property (IP) protection and a high level of interest in digital transformation help aid the ability of start-ups and scale-ups to innovate quickly and grow; thus, it would be wise for start-ups and scale-ups to evaluate the opportunities the UAE offers to grow and expand.
Quality of Life – Not all is business
Although economic incentives are essential to many people choosing to move to the UAE, there are also many lifestyle factors that many professionals find attractive as well:
Safety and Security – Among the lowest crime rates in the world.
World Class Healthcare – Internationally accredited healthcare facilities with various specialities.
Education – A wide variety of international schools to choose from.
Lifestyle & Leisure – Luxury shopping, beaches, cultural events, and outdoor recreational activities.
Comparative Table: UAE vs Other Global Hubs
Factor
UAE (Dubai/Abu Dhabi)
Singapore
London
Corporate Tax
0–9% depending on sector
17%
19–25%
Ease of Business
Top 20 globally
Top 5
Top 10
Safety
Extremely High
Very High
Moderate
Quality of Life
Excellent
Excellent
High
Expat Community
Very Large
Large
Very Large
Travel Connectivity
Global Hub
Global Hub
Global Hub
FAQs
Q1. What makes the UAE a good place to do business and a good place to live?
The UAE offers a combination of tax incentives, state-of-the-art infrastructure, robust legal frameworks, and an extremely high standard of living (education, healthcare, safety, and entertainment).
Q2. Is it expensive to live in the UAE?
While there are many costs associated with living in large metropolitan areas such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, many expatriates find their salaries, costs associated with tax breaks, and lifestyle provide adequate compensation for living there.
Q3. How can a foreign investor establish a business in the UAE?
There are two ways an investor can register a business: free zones (which allow full foreign ownership) and mainland zones (which require a local partner). Each emirate and sector has its own regulations and procedures governing business registration.
Q4. Is the UAE a safe environment for families?
Yes! Despite being known as one of the world’s safest countries, the UAE has a well-regulated police force that protects residential areas, making it a very secure location for families.
News4 weeks ago
