What the Helvetica? Dubai gets its own Microsoft font

The forward-looking Mideast business hub unveiled the new "Dubai Font" on Sunday – the first typeface developed by Microsoft for a city, which will be available in 23 languages.

The font was developed simultaneously in Latin and Arabic script and is available to 100 million Office 365 users around the world.

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum ordered government bodies to begin using the new font in their official correspondence.

The Executive Council of Dubai, which manages the affairs of the city-state and is headed by Prince Hamdan, said the font reflects the United Arab Emirates' vision "to become a regional and global leader in innovation".

"It is the first font to be developed by a city and to carry its name", Executive Council secretary general Abdulla al-Shaiban told a news conference.

The forward-looking Mideast business hub unveiled the new "Dubai Font" on Sunday [AFP]

The United Arab Emirates' largest city has championed technology and innovation as it looks to diversify its economy beyond a traditional focus on energy, trade, transportation and tourism.

The emirate also aims to emerge as the world's happiest city, and last year appointed a happiness minister.

Dubai will host the six-month Expo 2020 under the themes of sustainability and mobility.