Dubai’s Rising Role as a Gateway to the Middle East

Dubai is increasingly emerging as a key gateway for Chinese companies aiming to enter the Middle East, driven by the city’s ambitious D33 economic agenda. This plan, introduced in January 2023, seeks to double Dubai’s GDP by 2033 through enhanced industrial value and export growth. The D33 strategy is reinforcing the long-standing relationship between Dubai and China, evolving from the ancient Silk Road to the contemporary Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Dubai Business Forum: A Platform for Collaboration

The Dubai Business Forum, organized by Dubai Chambers, held its first international edition in Beijing on August 21. The event attracted Chinese enterprises and investment institutions keen on exploring regional and global expansion opportunities. Notably, over 40 prominent business leaders and key government representatives from Dubai participated in the forum.

Growing Chinese Investment in Dubai

Dubai’s strategic location as a hub of global talent, capital, and trade is drawing increased interest from Chinese investors. Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, expressed optimism that the forum would significantly enhance trade and investment levels between Dubai and China, both of which have been showing remarkable growth.
As of mid-2024, approximately 5,400 active Chinese companies are members of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce. In the first half of this year alone, over 750 Chinese companies have established a presence in Dubai.

Fostering Collaborative Synergies

Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), emphasized the importance of shared values in fostering successful collaborations. He highlighted the common traits of optimism, hard work, and a vision for a better future between China and the UAE, which can strengthen commercial partnerships.
Foreign direct investments from China to Dubai have grown significantly, reaching AED 19.85 billion (USD 5.4 billion) between 2015 and 2023. Dubai’s streamlined business setup processes and over 20 industry-specific free zones offer numerous advantages, including favorable tax conditions and professional infrastructure.

Dubai’s Strategic Initiatives and Developments

Dubai’s business-friendly environment and commitment to providing stable trade channels are key factors attracting Chinese companies. Abdullah Al Hashmi, COO of DP World (Parks and Zones), discussed how the pandemic accelerated advancements in Dubai’s logistics technology, including remote operation of automated systems. The comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) between China and the UAE also supports the assembly of Chinese products in Dubai, with notable growth in sectors like automotive manufacturing and green energy.

In 2023, non-oil trade between China and Dubai reached USD 67.8 billion, reflecting an 83.8% increase from 2013. Over the past decade, cumulative non-oil trade has totaled approximately USD 490 billion.
Dubai has also announced the development of a new logistics hub for food, fruits, and vegetables and is constructing the world’s largest and most advanced automotive market, the Dubai Car Market, covering 20 million square feet.

Innovation and Green Technology: A Collaborative Future

Chinese manufacturing is at a critical juncture, aligning with Dubai’s focus on green technology and e-commerce. This alignment creates opportunities to build effective supply chains and innovative models. Chinese tech companies, such as Westwell and Terminus, are establishing a significant presence in Dubai, with innovations like unmanned electric trucks and AI-driven smart solutions.
Both China and Dubai are committed to advancing green technology. China’s leadership in renewable energy complements Dubai’s efforts to develop and apply emerging technologies. Expo City Dubai is showcasing how Chinese firms can leverage Dubai’s platform for innovation and enterprise growth.

Healthcare Collaboration and Technological Advancements

Health and well-being remain top priorities. Marwan Al Mulla, CEO of Health Regulation at the Dubai Health Authority, and Liu Wei, Co-Founder and CEO of BioMap, discussed opportunities for collaboration in advanced medical fields such as robotic surgery and telemedicine. Dubai’s advanced medical infrastructure, combined with China’s strengths in data analysis, offers significant potential for collaboration.

Dubai’s Emergence as an AI Hub

Dubai is also becoming a prominent global AI hub. Zhang Rong, President of Westwell, highlighted the company’s expansion into the local market with its AI-driven autonomous driving solutions. The forum also saw the Dubai Chamber of Commerce announce new memorandums of understanding with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (Beijing) and major Chinese banks to deepen business cooperation and explore new trade opportunities.

Looking Ahead: International Forums and Future Prospects

The Dubai Business Forum in Beijing is the first in a series of international forums organized by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce. Future forums will be held in major global financial and commercial centers, offering enterprises and investors opportunities to engage with Dubai’s D33 economic agenda and explore new avenues for growth and collaboration.