Emaar Properties, the world's second largest real estate investor, was founded in 1997 by its president, Mohamed Alabbar, and is headquartered in Dubai, where it is 32.5% owned by the Dubai government, with the Burj Khalifa (Khalīfa tower; formerly known as Khalīfa tower (formerly known as Burj Khalifa) is the flagship project of Imal Properties. Imal Properties was ranked 953rd in the Global 2000 in 2014.

Aldar Properties, a leading real estate development, management and investment company in the UAE, was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Dubai.

Dubai Ports World (DP World) is one of the world's largest container terminal operators, established in 2005 as part of the Dubai Ports World Group of companies. DP World operates more than 50 terminals and logistics centers worldwide.