Dubai: A study by the global brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance spotlights the strategic role of Digital Dubai in reinforcing Dubai's position among the world's most powerful place brands, ranking fifth globally with a brand value of nearly AED1 trillion.
According to Emirates News Agency, the study highlighted Digital Dubai as one of the key contributors to this achievement, attributing approximately AED31 billion of the emirate's total brand value to its impact. Digital Dubai was also awarded an AA+ rating, placing it among the world's leading digital government entities.
The study further revealed that Digital Dubai played a pivotal role in enhancing Dubai's brand strength, contributing significantly to the emirate's score of 86 out of 100 on the City Brand Strength Index. Digital Dubai's contribution of approximately AED31 billion ($8.5 billion) to the emirate's overall place brand value added 1.9 points to Dubai's Brand Strength Index score, helping propel the emirate from seventh to fifth place among the world's leading city brands.
The study also highlighted Digital Dubai's strong performance across the Trust and Reputation indices, earning scores of 8.4 out of 10 in each among Dubai's residents and business community. These results underscore the growing confidence in the emirate's digital ecosystem and quality of digital life, reinforcing Digital Dubai's contribution to positioning Dubai as a globally leading digital city.
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, stated that these results reflect an important dimension of Dubai's ambitious vision that places digital transformation as a key pillar of sustainable development, quality of life, and the emirate's global competitiveness. He emphasized that the digital ecosystem is an integral part of living, working, and investing in Dubai, serving as a key driver of trust and the emirate's growing global appeal.
Tariq Al Janahi, CEO of the Corporate Enablement Sector at Digital Dubai, remarked that Dubai's digital ecosystem has become a key enabler of economic growth, innovation, and quality of life. He noted that Digital Dubai is committed to delivering seamless, integrated digital services and experiences that respond to the evolving needs of society and enhance quality of life.
David Haigh, CEO and Chairman of Brand Finance, commented that the study's findings reaffirm that trusted digital infrastructure has become a pivotal driver of a city's reputation and global competitiveness. Digital Dubai's AA+ institutional brand strength rating and its AED31 billion contribution to Dubai's overall place brand value demonstrate the tangible impact of the emirate's investment in world-class digital government services.
The study further showed that Digital Dubai's impact extends beyond digital government services, contributing directly to perceptions of innovation, trustworthiness, low bureaucracy, openness, and ease of doing business. These factors support Dubai's ability to attract businesses, investors, and skilled talent globally, reinforcing its global standing and soft power.
Brand Finance's approach combines the principles of marketing and finance to assess brand strength and quantify financial value. The study was based on responses from approximately 5,000 participants and is the most comprehensive research study on perceptions of city brands, ranking the top 100 global city brands. The 2024 edition surveyed over 15,000 respondents across 20 markets.
