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Foreign investment in Dubai plummets in first half 2020

FILE PHOTO: A general view shows the area outside the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, mostly deserted, after a curfew was imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Dubai

DUBAI (Reuters) - Foreign direct investment in Dubai fell by 74% in the first half of the year compared with the same period of 2019, as the coronavirus pandemic stalled parts of the global economy.

The Middle East financial and trade centre drew in 12 billion dirhams ($3.3 billion) in the six months to June 30, the Dubai government said in a statement.

The statement did not provide a comparative figure, but the government last year reported 46.6 billion dirhams in first half foreign direct investment.

Dubai Investment Development Agency (Dubai FDI) Chief Executive Fahad AlGergawi said the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent disruption to supply chains, restricted business activity, mobility and travel had caused a decline in foreign investment globally.

"While the COVID-19 challenge is not over yet, we are confident about the future performance of Dubai in FDI attraction as a pivotal enabler and facilitator of global business growth and expansion across regional and global markets," he said.

Dubai was locked down for several weeks as part of government efforts to curb the coronavirus, causing many businesses to temporarily shutter.

The United Arab Emirates has recorded 61,352 cases of the virus and 351 deaths. The Gulf state does not disclose where in the country the infections and deaths have occurred.

(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Louise Heavens)