Built assets now contribute almost 50% to the emirates’ GDP, according to a recent report by consultancy Arcadis.

As the report stated, built assets reduced the GCC countries’ economies reliance on commodities over recent years with the UAE’s diversification program marking a special success. The 50% figure marks the sixth highest in Arcadis’ global index.

Qatar is a rather similar case, with the contribution of built assets to GDP amounting to 44%, overtaking Singapore as the leading country in built assets return per capita.

The index was developed together with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) and “Examines the income generated by buildings, infrastructure and other fixed assets” across 36 countries that together represent 78% of the global GDP.