15 February 2024

The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted a luncheon conversation on Thursday, February 15, with His Excellency Helal Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The discussion, held at the Le Royal Meridian Resort in Dubai, highlighted the impact of the merger of the Dubai Department of Economy and the Tourism Department and provided an overview of the new D33 economic agenda. In his capacity as the newly-elected co-Vice Chair of the Business Council’s Board of Directors, Mr. Naim Yazbeck, Microsoft General Manager for the U.A.E. formally introduced H.E. Al Marri at the event.

H.E. Al Marri discussed his priorities as Director General and how those goals have shifted as a result of the merger of the Dubai Department of Economy and the Tourism Department. H.E. Al Marri noted that U.S. companies have enjoyed a presence in Dubai over a long time, and the number of U.S. companies continues to grow. H.E. Al Marri introduced Dubai’s new economic agenda, known as D33, and outlined the initiatives and key goals of this ten-year economic plan. He cited digital transformation as a key theme surrounding D33, along with attracting greater Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to Dubai. He emphasized that the goal of Dubai’s leadership under the D33 agenda is to position Dubai as one of the top three global cities by 2030. 

H.E. Al Marri stressed that increasing Dubai’s economic competitiveness globally is a core objective of the D33 agenda, which includes increasing Dubai’s attractiveness as a hub for research and develop that attracts and fosters top global talent. H.E. Al Marri noted the critical role the private sector, including U.S. companies in attendance, have played in Dubai’s development over the years, and extended an open hand to member companies present to deepen and broaden their presence in Dubai.  

H.E Al Marri praised the U.A.E.’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the visionary decisions taken by the government to spur economic growth and attract tourism to the U.A.E. He noted that the U.A.E., and specifically Dubai, is developing a healthcare ecosystem that focuses on fostering innovation, which has resulted in propelling Dubai and Abu Dhabi as a top global medical tourism destination. He argued that the Dubai government’s ability to adapt to changing requirements and responding to the city’s needs has helped drive Dubai’s attractiveness as a destination for business. He pointed to the city’s growing portfolio of real estate options, as well as its robust primary and secondary education system, continue to provide affordable and competitive options to Dubai’s residents. Along these lines, H.E. Al Marri pointed to higher education as an area of focus for the D33 agenda where U.S. institutions could play a significant role.  

H.E. Al Mari outlined three items that businesses can do in order to contribute to the D33 agenda: provide industry feedback, get involved in the decision-making process and engage in consultations regarding new global tax structures. He discussed the importance of promoting research and development (R&D) for the Dubai economic ecosystem. He added that one of the mechanisms for promoting R&D is through the Dubai SANDBOX program. H.E. Al Marri called on businesses to provide industry feedback and leverage the tools available to them such as the DET’s Business Resolution Unit. 

H.E. Al Marri concluded by calling for increased U.S.-U.A.E. commercial partnerships to help contribute to the D33 agenda and empower Dubai’s economic future.  

For questions about this event, please contact Matthew Gardell at mgardell@usuaebusiness.org.