An Emirati cabinet minister has revealed why she believes so many young Britons are flocking to Dubai in an exclusive sit-down interview with Nigel Farage.
More than 250,000 British nationals reside in Dubai, figures from 2025/26 show, making Britons one of the biggest Western expat groups in the city.
"It does seem to me there's actually quite a great affection for the United Kingdom amongst the people here," presenter Nigel Farage noted.
"There really is," Reem Al Hashimy, who serves as Minister of State for International Cooperation in the UAE's Foreign Ministry, agreed.
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"We have such a historic relationship that spanned decades, really, and that's grown over time to also include a lot of investment, a lot of economic opportunities, cultural and educational opportunities.
"And over the years, we've been able to really build that out.
"I think trade last year was about £25billion, growing at almost 10 per cent a year.
"And we're looking forward to doing more with our UK partners now," she added, looking towards the future.
Reem Al Hashimy spoke with Nigel Farage
|GB NEWS
Marvelling at the built-up hub, Nigel added: "This city is just booming! I've never seen more construction cranes anywhere in the world.
"But there's been one change in our trade relationship and our human relationship. And that is now the incredible fact that a quarter of a million British people are in Dubai alone.
"Why are they all coming to you?"
In response, she smiled: "We have people from all over the world who see the city, who see this country as a destination that is safe, that has great economic opportunities, great schools, great culture, and that's what attracts them to come and set up businesses and be part of the development story of the UAE."
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The minister explained how Dubai's tax-free system functions
|GB NEWS
She added Dubai welcomed more than a million British tourists last year, adding the UAE had close to a total of 22 million tourists who visited.
"And these are the kinds of metrics, if you will, that really signal and cement that we are not just open to the world, but that we're also a comfortable, stable, safe space for people to come and live," Ms Al Hashimy added.
"And of course, no income tax!" Nigel added. "No inheritance tax."
Explaining how the tax-free system works, the minister explained individuals contribute "with incredible value to the society and to the economy" and the country commits itself to investment "to reinvent itself".
She told Nigel: "We use the oil wealth that we have to reinvest into the UAE country in terms of infrastructure, which is why you see our trains, our rails, our roads, our airports, our ports really top notch.
"We also invest in our educational system so that our kids who travel abroad, who study, can come back and bring more to the economy.
"And now we've looked at really immersing ourselves in all things that are artificial intelligence, that are technology, that are innovation and finding ways in which we could do so much more with a lot less."
"And those are the types of metrics, if you will, that we really put in place to ensure that this stays vibrant, that it constantly reinvents itself, and that it becomes an attractive place for people to come and live."
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