Dubai has always been in the limelight among the business professionals. Particularly, in the case of investment, the economic stability of Dubai, the tax-free environment, and the low cost of energy are some of the attractive elements, that foreign investors look forward to. In addition, investing in Dubai proves to be meritorious for investors across different sectors, if the complementary aspects are evaluated beforehand. Whether it is the robust infrastructure, strategic selection of the location, or even the profitable sector, the whole idea is to understand the risks & challenges that investors can face while investing in Dubai.
Even though, access to the most-demanded sectors like real estate, trade & logistics, tourism & hospitality, healthcare, and healthcare for investment may sound attractive,, the following guide covers the red flags of investment in Dubai and how to address them with the utmost precision:
Infrastructural challenges
Dubai is renowned for its modern infrastructure, yet, rapid development at times proves to be an obstacle in the path of investors. For instance, traffic congestion, inadequate utilities, or construction delays are among the infrastructural challenges that investors are likely to face in Dubai.
Search for business partners from local vicinity
A local UAE citizen has to be partnered with to form an onshore company or Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Dubai. However, the search for a trusted and reliable partner often turns out to be the biggest challenge while invest in Dubai.
Language barrier
Arabic is the native language of Dubai and is mostly used by local investors. Hence, foreign investors who do not understand the language may have to face hardships in their investment journey in the UAE.
Alarming cases related to sustainability
Investors may face the impact of regulatory policies and the environmental impact related to sustainable practices. The awareness of sustainability is the underlying factor that can either affect the investor or help him in making an informed decision. In the latter case, if the sustainability concerns are already focused on while investing in Dubai, then, the backup plan of the investor will benefit him.
Economic dependence
Real estate and tourism & trade are the dominant business sectors that Dubai counts on for economic development. Therefore, if the investor is planning strategically keeping in mind these sectors, specifically, then, the drastic changes in these domains will directly impact him. Therefore, evaluating the business sector and the long-term returns or possibilities of risks will be the practical way to proceed with the investment plan in Dubai.
Unstable market and the fluctuations
Any sector can undergo fluctuations in Dubai, further, leading to unpredictable changes in the business. Therefore, the in-depth market research, scope of investing in Dubai and the pragmatic selection of the sector to invest in will be the right approach. Most of all, the whole idea is to stay unaffected by the market volatility in the UAE by exploring the business opportunities and their long-term returns.
Restrictions related to foreign ownership
Dubai imposes restrictions on foreign ownership in specific sectors. This leads to obstructions in the investment, and partnership with the local business groups. Therefore, it is advisable to seek advice from experienced investment professionals to keep out the blockages and restrictions while investing in Dubai.
Cultural differences and high competition
The Islamic culture and the cultural challenges related to it can affect the business or lifestyle balance in Dubai. On the other hand, networking among the local business groups and being familiar with the prevalent business culture in Dubai are some of the challenges that foreign investors may face. Furthermore, the quality of business, innovation, and reliability factors make the competition high for entrepreneurs in the UAE.
Undoubtedly, with so many challenges and risks involved in the process of investing in Dubai, it is worth hiring professional investment consultants to take the right step ahead. On the whole, it can be summed up that the investment consultants interact with the startup owners or the other entrepreneurs before recommending a suitable solution.