At his annual address, the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, launched the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and its sizeable economic target of AED 32 trillion ($8.7 trillion) by 2033. The agenda sets out 100 transformative projects that aim to double Dubai’s economy and position it among the top three global cities. A significant objective of the D33 is to increase foreign trade from AED14.2 trillion ($4 trillion) achieved in the last decade to AED25.6 trillion ($7 trillion) for goods and services over the next ten years. “The agenda is focused on a set of key priorities for the next decade, including raising the value added of the industrial sector and promoting export growth, contributing to sustainable economic growth, and achieving self-sufficiency in a number of key sectors and industries, including manufacturing, “ reported Gulf Business. Dubai has named ambitious targets for the logistics and finance sector in its agenda. By 2033, the city wants to be included as one of the five leading logistic hubs in the world and one of the top four global financial centres. One of its initial transformational projects includes adding 400 cities to its list of key trading partners and launching Dubai’s Economic Corridors 2033, focusing on building existing trade relations with Africa, Latin America and South East Asia. Sustainability is also a focus of the popular holiday destination. As part of the first phase of the project, the Dubai Green and Sustainable Industry Plan will include supporting the export of green products and implementing a framework for trading carbon credits in the Dubai Financial Market. With Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, the city has already established itself as a tech hub. The “Sandbox Dubai” initiative, which forms part of the D33, will accommodate the testing and commercialising of new technologies. This is in the hopes of making Dubai a major innovation hub and increasing the city’s productivity by 50%. While the targets may seem unattainable for some, financial experts believe Dubai’s economic track record, competition with Saudi Arabia, and high oil prices would drive the bold agenda.