Dubai’s Sheikh Hamdan Greenlights AED18 Billion Package For Culture, Infrastructure, Trade, And Investment In The Emirate
“Today’s approvals reflect the breadth of Dubai’s ambitions, and the depth of its commitment to its residents and generations to come.”
The Executive Council of Dubai, chaired by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the UAE, has greenlit an AED18 billion (US$4.90 billion) package of strategies and projects covering culture, infrastructure, trade, investment, education, finance, and digital governance in the emirate of Dubai.
Chairing a meeting of The Executive Council, Sheikh Hamdan said, “Dubai, which has become synonymous with ambition and achievement, backs its words with action and continues to write new chapters of success. Under the vision of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, we are building a city that does not pause. We plan for the future while delivering for the present, ensuring that every step forward is anchored in progress and purpose.”
Among the initiatives approved was the Dubai Cultural Strategy 2033, overseen by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, which “aims to position Dubai as a leader in cultural innovation and collaboration rooted in the UAE’s heritage, while establishing the city as a global hub for talent, the preferred destination for creative projects, a global reference for safeguarding cultural heritage, and a global model for social cohesion.” With it aiming to support more than 6,000 local talents and attract over 6,000 international creatives, the strategy wants to expand Dubai's cultural asset footprint by more than 200 percent, raise the sector's contribution to the country’s gross domestic product to 5.4 percent, and increase the value of public-private partnerships to AED2.75 billion ($748.808 million).
Sheikh Hamdan said, “Through the Dubai Cultural Strategy 2033, led by HH Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Dubai will embark on an ambitious new path that will support the Dubai Plan 2033 and the Dubai Social Agenda 33, making the city a global cultural reference, rooted in the UAE’s heritage, pioneering innovation and talent.”
Alongside the Dubai Cultural Strategy, the Executive Council also approved the Dubai Customs Strategy 2030, which focuses on facilitating trade, strengthening economic partnerships, enhancing security and compliance, and improving the experience of customers and partners. The strategy aims to support trade flows, strengthen Dubai's competitiveness, protect communities, and reinforce the emirate's position as a global trade hub.
Beyond culture and trade, the AED18 billion package also includes the First Al Khail Street Development Plan as an infrastructure project. The plan aims to introduce a 15-kilometer elevated carriageway running parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road with three lanes in each direction, and its construction is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2027 and conclude in the fourth quarter of 2030. Besides serving 2.6 million people and improving access to Dubai neighborhoods like Al Barsha, Al Quoz, Business Bay, and Meydan, the project is also set to reduce peak-hour travel time on Sheikh Zayed Road by 51 percent and increase road capacity by approximately 9,000 vehicles per hour.
A scene from The Executive Council meeting.
The Executive Council also endorsed Dubai Population Now, a real-time population census and growth monitoring initiative led by the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, part of the Dubai Digital Authority. Using artificial intelligence (AI) and forecasting tools, the initiative will provide a real-time population clock to support urban planning as well as policymaking in housing, education, healthcare, and transportation.
The package also introduces a new visual identity for Dubai's address system. Inspired by the emirate's urban environment and classified by urban sector, the updated signage is intended to strengthen the identity of different areas while improving navigation. The system will be implemented across 186 areas by 2029 before expanding to transport and residential services.
On the investment front, the Executive Council established the Dubai Investor Register, a unified register for institutions and individuals operating or investing in Dubai. Supporting the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) target of attracting AED650 billion ($177 billion) in foreign direct investment by 2033, the register enables companies and investors to operate across multiple jurisdictions without re-registering, thereby simplifying procedures, meeting Financial Action Task Force requirements, and reducing operational costs.
Education was another area of focus, with the Executive Council backing the Emirati Talents Strategy in Private Education, which targets employing 3,000 Emiratis in the sector by 2033, in line with the Dubai Education Strategy 2033. The strategy includes efforts like the Teacher Qualification and Accreditation Academy (Bridge to Teach), the Success Partners Program, Flex Emiratization, the Teaching Experience initiative (TeachXperience), and a pathway for employing retirees.
Rounding out the approvals, the Executive Council established the Global Centre for Technology and Innovation in Islamic Finance, which will be managed by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) in collaboration with global partners. The institution will focus on Islamic financial technology through initiatives including the Islamic Finance Innovation Challenge, an innovation platform for Islamic banks and startups, and the Future Islamic Finance Forum, scheduled for November 4, 2026. The DIFC Academy will also deliver a talent development program targeting more than 3,000 trainees by 2031.
“Just as we nurture the cultural landscape, we consolidate our mission across every dimension of the city, including the way we plan our urban areas, harness data for policymaking, empower our people, attract investment, and support new sectors,” Sheikh Hamdan added. “Today’s approvals reflect the breadth of Dubai’s ambitions, and the depth of its commitment to its residents and generations to come.”
Pictured in the lead image is HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. All images courtesy The Executive Council.
