For many centuries, Dubai has served as a warm and welcoming place for traders from the East and the West: Marco Polo described the city as a bustling commercial centre when he visited Dubai in the 13th century. The city is now the nerve centre of trade and commerce in the economically vibrant region, and serves as a strategic springboard to the Middle East consumer market. The UAE is the third largest economic power in the Arab world, where every one in 67 residents is a millionaire.
Today, Dubai lends full credence to its epithet of being the 'Best of East and West', with its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, and serving as the gateway to the Gulf states, the Middle East, the CIS, East Africa and the Asian subcontinent.
While Dubai is dynamic and truly modern, it has retained many of the cultural traditions established by its erstwhile nomads, fishermen, pearl divers, desert-dwellers and traders, which means that in a matter of hours, residents can take in the vast expanses of the Arabian desert or soaring steel towers; shop at age-old souks or at sophisticated shopping malls, participate in international water sports or enjoy a drive through rugged mountain villages.
Dubai is a cosmopolitan city that effortlessly offers all the elements for a memorable and magical lifestyle - sun, sand, surf, shopping and sightseeing, and then some more.
Dubai has a very eventful social calendar, with international sporting events, shopping and entertainment festivals, music and theatre events, and cultural programmes held at various indoor and outdoor venues all year around.
Dubai has emerged as a leading regional commercial hub with state-of-art infrastructure and a world class business environment. It has now become the logical place to do business in the Middle East , providing investors with a unique and comprehensive value added platform.
With its strategic location, tax-free living and consistently strong economic outlook, Dubai is the ideal base for multinationals targeting markets in Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the Asian Subcontinent and the Eastern Mediterranean . These regions have a population of over 2 billion people and a combined GDP of US$ 6.7 trillion.
Accessible through its ultra modern airport, that offers connections to over 140 destinations, Dubai is also a thriving tourist destination and attracts a large number of skilled professionals. Its robust economic cluster of technology, media, finance and healthcare hubs makes Dubai a viable and attractive proposition for any business.
Apart from economic advantages, the city offers a superior quality lifestyle that is truly international with luxury residential and office accommodation and excellent educational, health and shopping facilities. Sporting and leisure facilities are abundant and Dubai 's top class international hotels offer a wide range of dining and entertainment choices.
Visas
Dubai has very simple visa regulations. Thirty-three European, North American and Asian nationalities are stamped in on arrival at the airport, at no charge. Other nationalities can arrange visas through hotels or UAE embassies and consulates world-wide.
Freedom of worship
Freedom of worship is allowed to all religions. Christian churches of many denominations have existed in Dubai for years.
Crime
Dubai is internationally recognized as one of the top five safest cities in the world. Crimes against a person are extremely rare. Theft is similarly almost non-existent. You can expect lost goods to be returned before you ever reach a police station
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