Dubai-Beijing Business Seminar explores avenues of cooperation

Dubai Chambers has successfully organised the Dubai–Beijing Business Seminar with the goal of enhancing trade and investment partnerships, building new economic opportunities between Dubai and Beijing, and fostering bilateral cooperation across diverse sectors.

Hosted at Dubai Chambers’ headquarters in partnership with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade – Beijing, the seminar was attended by a Chinese delegation led by Sima Hong, Vice Mayor of Beijing, together with Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, and Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism. The event welcomed 130 business leaders, officials, and representatives of the private sector from both markets.

Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, stated:

“We remain committed to deepening economic and investment ties between Dubai and Beijing across a broad range of sectors. As part of these efforts, we are continuing to support the Chinese business community in capitalising on the significant opportunities Dubai offers as a gateway for regional and global expansion. Strengthening partnerships and driving collaborative initiatives between our business communities remains a key priority.”

Salem Al Shamsi, Vice President of International Relations at Dubai Chambers, delivered a comprehensive presentation during the seminar showcasing Dubai’s economic landscape and competitive advantages for businesses and investors. The presentation also covered joint business opportunities between Dubai and China, as well as promising sectors for trade and investment cooperation.

The seminar highlighted the growth of trade between Dubai and China. Non-oil bilateral trade reached a value of approximately AED 296.3 billion during 2024, achieving annual growth of 19%. By the end of June this year, more than 6,000 Chinese companies were registered as active members of Dubai Chamber of Commerce, underlining the growing interest in Dubai as a global business destination.

The depth of Dubai–China ties is also reflected in Dubai Chambers’ decision to host the first international edition of the Dubai Business Forum in China, which took place in Beijing in August 2024. Held under the theme ‘China, Dubai and Beyond: Igniting Global Trade and Investment,” the event showcased Dubai’s competitive advantages, strategic initiatives, and investment-ready opportunities for the Chinese and global business communities. On the sidelines of the forum last year, Dubai Chambers signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade – Beijing to support the expansion of trade relations and strengthen bilateral ties between the business communities in both markets to advance their shared goals.

In May, Dubai Chambers has announced that it will organise the Dubai Business Forum – China in Beijing from 21st to 22nd August this year.

The event will be the first in a series of international editions of the forum, which will be hosted in prominent financial and business cities around the world to highlight the promising opportunities created by the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).

The initiative comes as part of the chambers’ ongoing efforts to encourage foreign direct investment, support the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), and consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global business destination.

By hosting the Dubai Business Forum – China, Dubai Chambers aims to showcase the diverse investment opportunities available in the emirate, attract multinational companies and fast-growing startups from China to Dubai, and support Chinese investors and companies in establishing impactful partnerships with their counterparts in the emirate, as well as drive growth in bilateral trade and investments. The event will feature a variety of sessions and panel discussions focusing on key sectors that align with Dubai’s economic agenda, including the digital economy, healthcare, finance, retail, tourism, travel, and real estate.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai International Chamber, commented, “Dubai has established a reputation among the global business community as one of the world’s leading destinations in terms of creating opportunities and building fruitful partnerships. The emirate is continuing to enhance its position as an attractive choice for international investments due to its numerous competitive advantages, close relationships with countries across the globe, and world-class business environment, which offers ideal conditions for growth and expansion.”

He added, “By organising the forum, Dubai Chambers has succeeded in creating an impactful platform that will further strengthen the emirate’s position as a leading global hub for business, trade, and investments. China is the ideal destination to launch the first international edition due to its key role in the global economy as a centre for industry, commerce, and advanced technologies, as well as the well-established and growing economic relations between Dubai and China at all levels.”Agencies