Dubai’s bid to attract investment for its dedicated free zones as part of the emirate’s diversification efforts is mapped out in a newly-published investment guide produced by the global publishing, research and consultancy firm Oxford Business Group (OBG).

"The Report: Dubai 2013" charts the regulatory changes introduced by the emirate aimed at maintaining stability in the wake of the global financial crisis.

It also considers how stronger regulations, together with increased government efforts, are helping to improve financing options for small and medium- sized enterprises.

With Dubai’s tourism industry now leading renewed activity in the construction sector, OBG’s new publication explores the emirate’s plans to drive up visitor numbers by capitalising on its reputation as a safe haven in the region and expanding niche segments.

"The Report: Dubai 2013" also shines the spotlight on the emirate’s retail sector which has remained buoyant despite global economic uncertainty.

OBG’s regional editor Oliver Cornock said the fact that Dubai’s first two-part $1.25 billion bond offering for 2013 was hugely oversubscribed indicated the high level of investor confidence the emirate commanded.

“With Dubai’s debts restructured and some paid off, investors recognise that vital reforms have been put in place to stabilise the emirate’s economy,” he said.

“Our report considers the part that such measures have played in reassuring investors who were concerned about whether Dubai could bounce back from 2009 and maintain momentum. It also looks at how the emirate can now attract businesses and tourists in even greater numbers.”

OBG’s regional director Jana Treeck thanked the Group’s partners for the contribution they had made to the firm’s 2013 report.

She also introduced the country director Başak Paşalı and editorial manager Andrew Y. Thieriot, who will be leading the research for OBG’s next project on Dubai’s economy.

Paşalı moves into her new role following a spell in Egypt, where she recently oversaw OBG’s latest report on the country’s economy, while Thieriot comes to Dubai from Colombia where he led OBG’s in-country research for its most recent publication, undertaking interviews and producing the Group’s bi-weekly economic updates.

“Başak and Andrew have built up a wealth of experience with Oxford Business Group documenting the growth stories of emerging markets,” she said. “I am confident that their understanding of the region, together with their enthusiasm, will serve them well as we prepare to document the next phase in Dubai’s development.”

The report contains interviews with leading representatives, including the UK Prime Minister David Cameron, the Dubai World Trade Centre chief executive Helal Almarri, the director-general of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry HamadBuamim and the Emaar chairman Mohamed Alabbar.

The publication has been produced with research assistance fromthe Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Emirates NBD and Dubai Islamic Bank.

It marks the culmination of more than six months of field research by a team of analysts from OBG, assessing trends and developments across the economy, including macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and other sectoral developments.-TradeArabia News Service