Skip to content Skip to Search
Skip navigation
Company Insights

Dubai World

Dubai World Overview

Dubai World is a state-owned holding company primarily for the emirate’s real estate businesses.

Officially established by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in July 2006, the company has a number of key subsidiaries, employing tens of thousands of employees. In total, the group owns an extensive portfolio of global real estate assets worth tens of billions.

Among the subsidiaries are: ports group DP World, luxury real estate developer Nakheel, Economic Zones World, Drydocks World and Dubai Maritime City.

One of the largest Dubai World companies is DP World, which provides port and other logistics services in 75 countries across six continents, employing more than 100,000 people.

Luxury real estate developer Nakheel is behind numerous residential, retail, hospitality and leisure projects throughout Dubai.

Jafza is the flagship economic zone business within the Dubai World Group, with more than 10,000 businesses operating there and employing more than 130,000 people. Another subsidiary, Economic Zones World consists of several others: Gazeley, Dubai Auto Zone and TechnoPark.

Drydocks World consists of drydock and berth space serviced by ship and rig repair, maintenance and conversion businesses mainly catering for the oil and gas industry.

Dubai World News

The DEC expansion aims to triple the economic contribution of Dubai’s Mice sector to AED54 billion annually by 2033

Dubai allocates $2.7bn to expand Exhibition Centre

The Dubai government has approved an AED10 billion ($2.72 billion) expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City to strengthen its position in the multi-billion-dollar regional events and exhibition sector. The expansion, which will take place in three phases, will make DEC the region’s largest indoor exhibition and events destination, the UAE state-run […]

Dubai International Financial Centre. The emirate's GDP grew by 3.3% in the first nine months of 2023

Dubai on track to tackle $78bn debt, analysts say

Dubai’s state-run conglomerates have $78 billion in loan repayments due over the next few years, according to new research, but analysts have told AGBI the emirate is on track to cover the debts.  The loans date back to Dubai’s 2009 debt crisis and equate to 67 percent of its GDP, said consultancy Capital Economics in […]

Adult, Female, Person

South Korea delivers as UAE trade continues to grow

Adnoc Logistics and Services took delivery of its first new-build oil tanker on Tuesday as part of growing UAE-South Korea trade and investment ties. The Adnoc subsidiary received Hafeet, a large crude carrier built by Hanwha Ocean at its Okpo Shipyard in Geoje Island, South Korea. The vessel, designed for long-haul voyages to ship crude […]