The real estate sector in Dubai is fueled by property acquisitions by expatriates from a broad pool of nationalities and freehold investments by foreign investors. Real estate activities in Dubai generated value added of AED 28.7 billion in 2018, increasing by 7 per cent, over three and half per cent the growth rate of the real GDP. However, transactions (sales and mortgages) in the Dubai real estate market decreased in terms of value and number in 2018, declining in value from AED 284 billion in 2017 to AED 223 billion in 2018. The government issued a set of ownership incentives to promote Dubai and the UAE as an attractive destination for expatriates, working individuals, tourists and businesses into the residential real estate sector.