Sheikh Hamdan’s Efficiency Drive and Luxury Real Estate Boom 
Dubai’s business elite is estimated to experience exponential growth rates by 2026 after announcing their contributions to the emirate’s efforts to improve government efficiency. The reform has enabled the local administration to facilitate 1,474 services, making Dubai an attractive destination for foreign investors. Apart from improving the government’s performance, the emirate has witnessed a surge in luxury real estate sales, with 296 homes sold in early July 2023 alone. The current business scene attracted not only foreign investors but also local elites such as Hussam Baghdadi, the Chief Operating Officer of AWR Automotive, which has been in the business of bringing cars to life for 6 decades. Baghdadi plays a critical role in navigating the business through the transition as the world moves toward new mobility. On the other hand, Karim Benkirane, the Chief Commercial Officer of du, is transforming the UAE into a startup powerhouse by ensuring that small and medium-sized enterprises lead the digital front. The July 2026 issue of Gulf Business magazine covers these individuals among 50 other business leaders who are the primary drivers of the region’s economic growth.
Dubai’s business landscape is also growing as illustrated by the record-breaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DMCC and Botswana Stock Exchange. The emirate remains at the forefront in promoting sustainability as demonstrated by its latest project, including one of the UAE’s most sophisticated green ship recycling projects completed by Drydocks World.
