The effects of the Chinese BRI on UAE Investment HD

Belt and Road initiative | Knight Frank Middle East | Taimur Khan The Belt and Road Initiative was launched by China in 2013 with an aim to revive the great Silk Road as well as provide a new platform for multilateral cooperation to create new trade routes, economic links and business networks. It covers 69 countries and encompassing around 60% of the world’s population and 40% of global GDP. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is expected to deploy 900 billion US Dollars in investment. Knight Frank report “New Frontiers” analysis of the UAE’s prospects as a result of the initiative giving the UAE ease to do business as a strategic location. It has become a focal point for Chinese capital within the region. Over 4200 firms have set up base within the UAE to serve not only Gulf Countries (GCC) but also African countries as well. The partnership between these two countries has existed since 1984. But more recently, the focal point of this investment has been Dubai. China is Dubai’s largest non-owed partner. We have seen an increase in trade, an increase in tourism and real estate investment. In the year to Q1, 2017, Chinese tourists visiting Dubai increased by 60% making the 4th largest nationality to visit Dubai. The Chinese also consistently ranks among the top 10 most active real estate investors within Dubai. The UAE ranks third in terms of market invest potential out of these 67 countries. The ties between China and the UAE are expected to grow in the coming years as Dubai strengthens its position as a global hub for Travel, Trade and investment ahead of Expo 2020. To read the full report, http://www.knightfrank.com/blog/tag/new-frontiers-2018 For more information, please contact: Taimur Khan | Senior Analyst, Research Email: taimur.khan@knightfrank.com Call: +971 4 426 7660