The emirate was graded by fDi magazine, and ended up with 471 points, the highest out of 20 locations in the region.
It won acclaim thanks to its growing real estate market, developing infrastructure and impressive international reputation.
Arabian business reports Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, Manama, Riyadh and Ras Al Khaimah made up the rest of the top five.
The ranking could be a boost of confidence for Dubai’s real estate market, which has seen a recent slowdown in investment.
Quoted by Arabian Business, Sami Al Qamzi, of the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED), said the listing was a seal of approval of the work done by his organisation
“to create a high-growth environment and boost the economy by implementing strategies to attract foreign investment to the emirate”.
Respondents were asked by fDi to list significant investment developments over the last two years in their respective locations.
They were also required to give details of current and recently-completed major real estate and infrastructure projects.
DED officials added the ranking would highlight the emirate as an international investment hub, which could come as a welcome boost for the regional real estate sector.
