The Dubai-China Business Forum has concluded in Shenzhen, marking a significant milestone in fostering investment and trade relations. With participation from 854 leading Chinese investors and business leaders, the event saw the largest external business delegation ever led by Dubai Chambers, comprising 112 senior officials from both government and private sectors in Dubai. This initiative aimed to open new qualitative avenues for commercial and investment partnerships between Dubai and China.
Strengthening Ties for Mutual Economic Success
Under the theme “Accelerating Relationships for Mutual Economic Success,” the forum was organised by Dubai Chambers in collaboration with the Shenzhen International Chamber of Commerce and the Guangzhou International Chamber of Commerce as supporting partners. The event featured 15 sessions with 22 speakers, who highlighted collaborative opportunities in future economic sectors, including artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, logistics, smart mobility, digital platforms, and venture capital.
Significant Business Delegation Reflects Economic Potential
The delegation from Dubai Chambers was noted as the largest external business group in the history of the Chambers’ participation in an event outside the Emirate. This reflects the diversity of sectors and fields represented, underscoring the importance of the Chinese market and the forum’s pivotal role as a platform for lucrative economic partnerships.
Insightful Remarks from Dubai Chambers’ Leadership
In his opening speech, His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Dubai Chambers, remarked, “The relationship between Dubai and China is built on decades of communication, cooperation, and shared ambition. Mutual trust and a converging development vision have contributed to establishing strong and growing trade ties between both sides. Today, the complementary advantages of the economies of Dubai and China allow for expanded opportunities to evolve from established relations into a more advanced phase of investment, innovation, and shared value.” He added, “We look forward to building on this momentum by expanding ties between our business communities and fostering partnerships that unite expertise, capabilities, and advanced technologies to support sustainable growth and enhance mutual interests.”
Explosive Growth in Bilateral Trade
Al Mansoori pointed out that China is Dubai’s largest global trading partner, with non-oil trade between the two entities experiencing rapid growth over the past decade. Non-oil trade rose from AED 166.4 billion in 2016 to approximately AED 363.5 billion by 2025, representing a remarkable growth of 118.4%. Dubai has also attracted over 300 foreign direct investment projects from China, with total capital exceeding AED 24.6 billion from 2016 to 2025.
Chinese Companies Flourishing in Dubai
The number of active Chinese companies registered with Dubai Chamber has more than tripled compared to 2016, reaching 6,650 by the end of September 2026. More than 3,830 of these businesses operate in trade and services, accounting for about 58% of total Chinese businesses in the chamber. This reflects Dubai’s growing role as a strategic gateway for Chinese firms seeking trade, distribution, and expansion into multiple markets.
Positive Momentum and Future Prospects
Al Mansoori reiterated the positive results achieved since the last Dubai-China Business Forum held in Beijing, noting a 23% increase in non-oil trade value between the two regions in 2025 compared to 2024. Additionally, Chinese foreign direct investment inflows into Dubai jumped nearly threefold, rising from approximately AED 1.2 billion to more than AED 3.4 billion in 2025.
A Strategic Investment Platform
The forum highlighted the growth opportunities presented by Dubai’s D33 economic agenda for Chinese companies and investors, particularly in trade, investment, technology, and innovation. It showcased Dubai’s strategic standing as a platform for Chinese and international investments, underscoring its flexible legislative and regulatory environment, advanced infrastructure, supportive business ecosystem, and its role as a commercial, logistical, and financial hub linking businesses to regional and global markets.
Advancing AI and Smart Technologies
His Excellency Mohammed Ali Rasheed Lootah, Director General of Dubai Chambers, took part in a panel discussion about the transition to Agentic AI in Dubai’s private sector, an initiative aimed at expediting the adoption of AI technologies within the business community. This programme aims to empower and train over 295,000 private sector companies by providing 100 specialised AI assistants over two years. Dubai Chambers is also set to train 14,000 companies on AI technologies, enhancing their readiness to embrace global technological transformations and leverage advanced smart solutions, establishing Dubai as a global hub for the digital economy and future industries.
Integrating Modern Technologies
Specialised sessions explored Dubai’s evolving role as a practical testing ground for artificial intelligence applications at the city level, examining prospects for developing autonomous mobility solutions within advanced regulatory frameworks and supportive infrastructure. Participants affirmed the necessity of moving beyond pilot phases to implement commercially scalable applications while enhancing organisational capabilities to integrate smart technologies into their operations, services, and business models.
Enhancing Investment Flows Between Dubai and China
One panel discussed opportunities for fostering mutual investment flows between Dubai and China, particularly in sectors such as AI, fintech, advanced manufacturing, and digital infrastructure. The dialogue aimed to empower Dubai investors with access to opportunities within China’s private equity, venture capital, and innovation-driven sectors, further reinforcing Dubai’s role as a bridge linking capital with innovation and international expansion.
Paving the Way for an AI Economy
Participants in a roundtable during the forum focused on the essential elements for building an AI-driven economy, emphasising the need for advanced computing capabilities, smart infrastructure, and scalable digital ecosystems. They highlighted the importance of developing technical skills and specialised talents to reinforce AI solution adoption across various sectors, bolstering Dubai’s position as an innovation centre promoting tech solutions and knowledge-based growth.
Global Trade and Logistics Support
Sessions also addressed the crucial role of logistics connectivity and digital trade in supporting companies’ global expansion. Attendees discussed ways to enhance trade corridors for quicker, more efficient connectivity between Asia, the Middle East, and international markets. The discussions underscored the contribution of integrated logistics infrastructure, ports, airports, and AI-backed digital systems in facilitating goods and capital movement, thereby supporting Chinese firms’ international growth strategies.
Opportunities in Sustainable Mobility
In the realm of sustainable mobility, one workshop explored opportunities arising from the integration of manufacturing capabilities and innovation from Chinese businesses and the extensive regional and global connectivity afforded by Dubai. It emphasised the need to build strategic partnerships that support the proliferation of electric mobility solutions, boost consumer confidence, and align with the transition to a more sustainable economy.
The forum also showcased success stories of global companies that have launched from Dubai into regional and international markets, discussing how the flexible business environment, advanced infrastructure, and global connectivity facilitated their operational expansion and diversification.