Dubai Chambers hosts roundtable in New York to boost trade relations

Dubai Chambers has organised a roundtable discussion in New York with the participation of 17 officials from chambers and trade promotion bodies representing US states. The session was aimed at supporting the growth of trade and investment between Dubai and the USA.

The roundtable was held on the sidelines of the Dubai Business Forum - USA, which took place in New York recently. Participants included Eng. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Dubai Chambers, and Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers. The session explored opportunities to enhance collaboration between Dubai Chambers and US chambers and trade organisations, while highlighting key shared opportunities for companies and investors in both markets.

The roundtable addressed ways to strengthen competitiveness and advance economic cooperation amid a rapidly evolving global landscape. Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral collaboration within the framework of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), as well as exploring avenues to support innovation, expand trade links, and unlock new prospects for growth in priority sectors including artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and digital trade.

Participants were introduced to the strengths of Dubai’s dynamic business environment and how it fosters innovation and investment. Discussions underlined the emirate’s role as a global hub for trade, logistics, and future technologies, supported by world-class infrastructure and agile regulations that continue to attract companies, talent, and capital from around the world.

The session also explored Dubai’s forward-looking approach to anticipating global economic shifts and implementing policies that advance digital transformation and sustainability, positioning it as a key partner for the United States in shaping deeper economic cooperation built on knowledge and advanced technology.

Attendees reviewed the strong growth in trade and investment flows between Dubai and the US and discussed ways to capitalise on major capital inflows and strategic partnerships in areas such as artificial intelligence, energy, and infrastructure to accelerate the expansion of priority sectors.

The roundtable also examined opportunities to work together to strengthen supply chain resilience and support industrial partnerships, alongside initiatives to advance workforce development and enhance talent mobility.

The roundtable provided a valuable opportunity to exchange expertise and best practices and to explore ways of building sustainable partnerships that support long-term economic growth.

articipants explored the practical frameworks needed to design joint initiatives and programmes that enhance trade and investment exchange, while creating a supportive environment for US companies and their counterparts in Dubai to capture emerging opportunities, particularly amid the growing momentum in economic relations between Dubai and the US.

Meanwhile, membership of Indian companies at the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry has achieved a compound annual growth rate of 38.4% grown from 2019 to 2024, underscoring the strategic importance of Abu Dhabi for Indian enterprises and their confidence in the emirate’s leading investment environment.

Reflecting the depth of economic ties between Abu Dhabi and India and reinforcing the emirate’s position as a leading centre for business and investment, the Chamber recorded 3,375 new Indian company memberships in 2024, an annual increase of 31.1%.

As of September 2025, 17,457 Indian companies are active members of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, making the Indian business community the second largest within the Chamber’s diverse membership base.

The momentum follows steady expansion in trade and investment cooperation since the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) came into effect in 2022, opening new avenues for trade facilitation, capital flows and collaboration across the new economy.

Shamis Khalfan Al Dhaheri, Second Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, “The rapid increase in Indian company memberships reflects rising confidence in the strength of our economy and the clarity of Abu Dhabi’s investment proposition. It also demonstrates the trust of Indian businesses in the emirate’s advanced infrastructure and its ability to provide high quality opportunities for growth and regional expansion. Abu Dhabi is consolidating its status as a global hub for business and investment.” He affirmed India’s position as a trusted trade and investment partner and noted that the continued implementation of CEPA, together with strategic initiatives, will support growth in emerging sectors, advanced industries, biotechnology, energy, food and water.

Indian businesses in Abu Dhabi are active across a broad range of sectors. Wholesale and retail trade accounts for 45%of memberships, with 14% in construction, alongside growing participation in administrative services, hospitality, professional and technical services, manufacturing, transport, information technology and real estate. This wide range of activities highlights Abu Dhabi’s appeal as a diversified and resilient economy.

WAM