Dubai demonstrated continued growth throughout a challenging year, driven by both its strategic outlook and economic fundamentals, according to Hadi Badri, Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation, part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. Badri shared these insights during a discussion at HSBC’s UAE Wealth Investment Summit held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Dubai.

Addressing the session titled “UAE Economic Vision: What’s Next on the Growth Agenda?” alongside Mohamed Al Marzooqi, CEO of UAE at HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, Badri emphasized the resilience and ambition underpinning Dubai’s development. He cited significant growth indicators including an increase in the city’s population by over 200,000 residents this year, a 30 percent rise in the business community within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) over the past year, and a 9 percent expansion in financial services during the first half of 2026.

Badri highlighted that the city’s economic trajectory aligns with the long-term objectives outlined in Dubai’s D33 economic agenda, launched slightly more than three years ago. While the ultimate goal remains steady, he acknowledged that the path to achieving it will encounter continuous adjustments due to what he described as a “new normal” of ongoing global turbulence. Despite regional conflicts, including the outbreak of hostilities on February 28, Dubai’s airport operations were largely unaffected, and Emirates airline maintained uninterrupted service.

“Judge Dubai by the streets,” Badri remarked, pointing to the sustained activity and movement across the city as evidence of its vitality. He also noted that school enrollments hit record highs in September, reflecting the continued arrival of families and reinforcing population growth trends.

Financially, Dubai retains significant flexibility, with its debt level standing at approximately 11.5 percent of gross domestic product—a substantial reduction of 85 percent from its peak during the pandemic. The emirate operates with a budget surplus, collecting $115 for every $100 spent. Dubai has risen to seventh place among global financial centres after previously being outside the top 20 in 2023, and it has led the world in foreign direct investment for five consecutive years. Its population growth rate last year was 7 percent, markedly higher than the 2 percent growth rate of the next-fastest growing city within the top 20 financial hubs.

Investors have benefited from supporting the emirate, Badri stated. Over the past four years, Dubai has outperformed cities such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and London in value creation across real estate, equities, and business ownership sectors. There have been no restrictions on withdrawals, and deposit levels have reached record highs.

Looking ahead, capacity expansion plans are well underway. The city has ample land available for future development, Emirates airline’s aircraft order book exceeds its current fleet size by nearly 1.5 times, and the forthcoming Al Maktoum International Airport is projected to handle three times the air traffic of Dubai International Airport.

With supply and demand dynamics firmly addressed, Badri expressed optimism that these developments will encourage further investment in Dubai’s growth potential.