Profitable Business Sectors to Enter in Dubai

Entrepreneurs conducting commercial activities in the UAE must take the country's specific characteristics into account. Any investment should emphasise how the business will support sustainability and regional development. Companies aligned with this agenda find it easier to obtain licences and receive regular coverage in state-level media. Investment planning and business promotion therefore require evidence of the intended benefit to the region.

Entrepreneurs from CIS countries tend to choose several key Dubai sectors: development and property, restaurants and services, advertising agencies and tourism.

Development and property

One of the principal growth sectors attracts significant interest from Russian businesses. Property is traditionally viewed as an investment in CIS countries, so it was an obvious choice for Russian-speaking entrepreneurs entering Dubai.

According to analysts, property transactions worth more than $70 billion were completed in 2022 alone, comparable with sales volumes for the preceding three years. In the same year, the Emirates also attracted a record number of private investors to support sustainable territorial development.

Food service and consumer services

Tourist flows into Dubai increase every year, as do the numbers of residents and expatriates. Population growth creates greater demand for a wide variety of food-service and consumer-service businesses.

Dubai is considered one of the best places to start a restaurant business. Its range of food venues is remarkable, from street food and cloud kitchens such as KitchenPark to Michelin-starred restaurants, alongside numerous local and international food festivals.

Government support, a low-tax jurisdiction and advanced infrastructure provide strong incentives for household services and restaurants. Dubai Exports values the food sector at AED 131 billion, with further market growth expected.

Advertising agencies

Modern market conditions, growing information flows and stronger competition have made advertising a priority. Advertising services command good fees in the Emirates, while UAE tax policy and business opportunities support expectations of stable income in this niche.

Russian businesses have brought service providers such as lawyers, accountants and marketers to the Emirates. Less expensive agencies from India and Bangladesh work in English, while CIS entrepreneurs often prefer agencies from their own markets when investing in the UAE.

Tourism from the UAE to CIS countries

Dubai is a centre of global tourism. Choosing the UAE as a business location offers important advantages:

• advanced infrastructure;
• strong demand;
• customers with high purchasing power;
• open air links with many countries.

CIS destinations have recently become increasingly popular among UAE travel agencies. Starting a Dubai tourism business in a sector that represents a large share of the UAE economy is promising. Lower travel costs are increasing residents' interest in trips from Dubai to CIS countries, particularly because many people leave the UAE during the hot summer months.

Each entrepreneur must decide how to earn money in Dubai. Both innovative projects and traditional companies are open to anyone prepared to contribute to the region.