Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Dubai has emerged as a global city and business hub of the Middle East. Dubai has free and open trade with more than three-quarters of goods entering the emirate duty free. Ranked as the top Middle Eastern city in Mercer’s Quality of Life Index, Dubai has become one of the world’s most preferred expatriate locations. Although it is recognized as the fastest growing city in the world, Dubai is also one of the safest