Dubai enlisted businesses to help secure hub status after Iran war shock: report

Published June 25, 2026 Updated June 25, 2026 03:14pm

Days after Iran began striking targets across the UAE in March, Dubai’s top officials gathered hundreds of business leaders to discuss how the Gulf tourism and financial hub could limit the economic damage, Reuters reports.

The meeting, unusual for its size and timing, helped spur measures including a central bank liquidity package, said five people present, who declined to be named because it was private.

Attendees were asked three questions: What should we do to get tourists back? What should we do to get investors back? And how can we support your business? two of the people said, adding that the crown prince of Dubai had circulated between tables, asking business leaders for their input.

Dubai has since pledged 2.5 billion dirhams ($681 million) in support, focused mainly on sectors such as tourism and retail, which have been hit hardest by the conflict.

While a preliminary US-Iran peace deal is easing the immediate strains, restoring business confidence in Dubai will take time and may require more incentives, six company leaders and analysts told Reuters.

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