As the leading regional trading hub, Dubai offers access to a market of tremendous potential for overseas companies in a wide range of sectors. It has a large market of more than $17 billion in domestic imports annually and is the gateway to a $150 billion per annum. It has a large regional import market, comprising of various commodity items, and the figure has more than doubled since 1989. Its regional economic growth and liberalisation is set to boost demand. It is strategically located at the heart of one of the world's richest regions; offers wide import requirements; provides opportunities for suppliers of most products. It has an accessible market served by more than 170 shipping lines and 86 airlines and has no exchange controls, quotas or trade barriers.