Dubai, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is a small and culturally diverse city. It has a population of 3.34 million people (2019), a significant proportion of whom are expats.
Dubai is the financial centre of the Middle East. It also serves as an ideal business link between Europe and Africa. While Dubai's primary revenues are from oil, tourism, and trade, the finance sector has seen rapid growth in recent years, contributing significantly to the economy.
Dubai combines a Western-style business model and a traditional ethos. It is therefore the most forward-looking of all seven emirates and the point where the West, Middle East, and the Far East meet.
Thanks to its world-class infrastructure, business-friendly policies, and international investors, Dubai is a prominent trade centre in the Arabian Gulf region. Dubai's initiative to create specialised free trade zones (FTZ) has contributed to its continued economic success.