DMCC signs deal with Chinese entity to boost trade relations

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) signed an agreement with the Administrative Committee of Beijing Daxing International Airport Economic Zone (BDIAEZ) that will see the two entities work together to establish a cooperation mechanism in order to achieve greater strategic collaboration on bilateral projects and trade.

The two entities will work together to become a model for global free trade zones through the transfer of knowledge and expertise, leveraging DMCC’s experience in attracting and managing a diverse set of businesses and utilising its world-class infrastructure. Ahmad Hamza, Executive Director – Free Zone, DMCC, said, “The economic ties between UAE and China continue to strengthen and grow rapidly, which reflects the impact we can have when we work together with trade partners towards mutually beneficial outcomes. This strategic agreement with BDIAEZ builds on this since it will further boost collaboration between Dubai and Beijing and promote new opportunities for businesses looking to expand and access new markets. Through this collaboration, we will provide a platform for any entity looking to tap into their potential and succeed by enhancing the ease of doing business.”

As a result of the agreement, both entities will provide guidance and support to any business interested in setting up in DMCC or BDIAEZ and simplify the requirements, processes and costs associated with such a move. They will also explore the joint development of an industry cluster in each free zone and share the trade infrastructure, seek to create highly globalised, interconnected and open policies for the industry and attract companies to these business districts.

Youguo Wang Secretary of the Beijing Daxing District Committee of the Communist Party of China, and Secretary of the CPC Work Committee of BDIAEZ (Daxing), said, “Our partnership with DMCC marks an exciting new chapter for BDIAEZ. Crucially, it will also support China’s Belt and Road Initiative, using both cities as launchpads for building cooperation. We look forward to the new opportunities this strategic agreement will bring, as we are confident they will lead to additional interconnectivity between Beijing and Dubai.”

Through world-class facilities and business services and an unwavering commitment to increasing the ease of doing business, DMCC has become home to over 23,000 member companies, from large multinationals to SMEs and entrepreneurs. DMCC is currently home to over 750 Chinese companies, equating to well over 12 percent of all Chinese businesses registered in the UAE. In April 2023, DMCC hosted 200 Chinese business leaders during a dedicated China Business Day to support the $200 billion China-UAE bilateral trade growth by 2030.

China is ranked first as the UAE’s biggest trading partner, accounting for 11.84 percent of the UAE’s total non-oil trade in 2022, with the value of non-oil trade exchange between the two countries in the same year amounted to Dhs264.2 billion, a growth of 18 percent from 2021.

The trade value is on track to expand to $200 billion by 2030. China is also the third largest foreign investor in UAE, with an FDI balance of Dhs34 billion in 2021.