Dubai Creek - the place where Dubai took place

The Dubai Creek, situated in the heart of Dubai and flowing between Bur Dubai and Deira, is where trade with the outside world began for the emirate more than a century ago. It is the historic focal point of life in Dubai. The growth of giant ports in the city has not diminished the Creek’s importance, as it remains vital for the region’s traders, and is vibrant reminder of Dubai’s development into a commercial hub.

Long before the World Trade Centre, Emirates Towers, Business Bay, Dubai’s business heart was the Creek. The city’s heritage as a harbour-based trading hub, dealing in pearls, fishing and the import-export business is well known. The Creek was not only a traditional trading port that launched Dubai as a commercial centre in the region, but was also the place that set a precedent for the emirate’s economic successes with the introduction of tax breaks to pearl fishermen nearly 100 years ago!

Where past meets present

A stroll down the wharfage on Dubai’s Creek just before lunch time will evoke the memories of Dubai’s trading past when you will see the hustle and bustle of business. You will see trucks laden with goods and labourers hurriedly loading the dhows with cargo ranging from car tyres, and batteries, to soft drinks, fabrics, bags of rice to electronics and other consumer goods destined for the markets in the neighbouring countries of Africa and the middle east and beyond.