Dubai has approved a sweeping package of new strategies and projects worth AED18 billion, aimed at reshaping the emirate's future across culture, infrastructure, trade, finance and urban planning.
The approvals came during a meeting of The Executive Council chaired by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Council, held at Emirates Towers. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, also attended.
Among the headline initiatives is the Dubai Cultural Strategy 2033, which sets out 40 initiatives to position the city as a global cultural hub, targeting support for over 6,000 local talents and a 5.4 percent contribution to GDP from the sector.
On infrastructure, the Council greenlit the First Al Khail Street Development Plan, a 15 kilometre elevated corridor running parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road. Construction begins in the third quarter of 2027 and is expected to conclude by late 2030, cutting peak hour travel times on Sheikh Zayed Road by 51 percent and serving 2.6 million residents.
Other approvals include the Dubai Population Now initiative, a real time census and forecasting tool from the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, following population growth to 4.58 million by the end of 2025. The Council also backed the Emirati Talents Strategy in Private Education, targeting 3,000 Emirati professionals in the sector by 2033.
Further measures include the Dubai Investor Register to streamline business registration in support of AED650 billion in foreign direct investment goals, a redesigned citywide address system rolling out across 186 areas by 2029, and the launch of a Global Centre for Technology and Innovation in Islamic Finance under DIFC.
Sheikh Hamdan said the approvals reflect Dubai's commitment to pairing long term vision with tangible delivery for residents.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
