Dubai Family Business Programme Links Firms to City Leaders

Planning for 2040 and beyond

H.E. Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, addressed the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, the latest step in a planning journey that began in 1960 and has moved through seven successive urban master plans over six decades.

Bin Ghalita described family businesses as long-standing partners in the emirate's development. "Dubai Municipality places partnership with the private sector at the heart of its vision and strategic plans, particularly family businesses, which contribute their expertise, capabilities and investments to turn projects and initiatives into reality," he said. "For decades, family businesses have been key partners in delivering Dubai's landmark developments and infrastructure projects and have been part of the city's development journey. This partnership has extended beyond project delivery to encompass planning, innovation, investment and the creation of future opportunities. In this context, the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan opens up significant opportunities for investment and growth across housing, economic and tourism activities, beaches, green spaces, and education and healthcare services."

Doubling the economy by 2033

Mohamed Sharaf, Chief Operating Officer for Investment Attraction at Dubai Economic Development Corporation, discussed the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which sets out to double the size of Dubai's economy by 2033 and consolidate the emirate's standing among the world's top three economic cities.

Together, the three briefings gave family business owners a fuller picture of how Dubai's social, urban and economic plans intersect, and where their own companies fit into that agenda. The first of the two closing workshops focused specifically on these key economic and social strategies and priorities set out by the Government of Dubai.

For family enterprises, many of which have been embedded in Dubai's growth for generations, the sessions offered more than a briefing. They set out where the government sees room for private capital, expertise and long-term investment to align with public goals covering housing, tourism, green space, education and healthcare through to 2040 and beyond.

Reported by Government of Dubai Media Office.