Dubai showcases investment opportunities to French investors

DUBAI: Dubai Chambers, in cooperation with the UAE Embassy in Paris, has successfully hosted an open dialogue in the French capital with a select group of investors from the country.

The event was designed to highlight the promising investment opportunities available to the French business community in Dubai across key sectors.

Held in the presence of Fahad Saeed Al Raqbani, UAE Ambassador to France, and Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, and the participation of 45 French investors, the open dialogue highlighted Dubai’s strengths as a global business and investment hub and a gateway to regional markets.

The discussions focused on the emirate’s business-friendly environment, advanced infrastructure, and flexible regulatory framework, as well as the support offered by Dubai Chambers to help French investors establish and expand their businesses in Dubai and benefit from the emirate’s diverse investment opportunities.

Lootah stated, "Dubai continues to strengthen its appeal to global companies seeking to expand their operations and access new markets, supported by its position as a leading international business hub that connects major economies and markets worldwide. We are committed to supporting French companies with the assistance they need to establish and grow their presence in Dubai, helping them achieve sustainable growth and capitalise on the emirate’s diverse business opportunities.”

The event comes amid continuing strong interest in Dubai among the French business community. By the end of March 2026, 3,275 companies from France were registered as active members of Dubai Chamber of Commerce, with 211 new French companies joining during Q1 2026 alone. This marks an increase of 559 per cent compared to the 497 French companies registered as members of the chamber during 2016.

Non-oil trade between Dubai and France reached Dhs40.3 billion in 2025, up from Dhs18.4 billion in 2021, representing an increase of 120 per cent over five years.

In 2025, France ranked as Dubai’s third-largest European trading partner, accounting for 17.7 per cent of the emirate’s total foreign trade with European Union member states.

Meanwhile Dubai Chambers has discussed ways to enhance trade and investment cooperation with key public and private sector stakeholders from South Africa during a series of high-level meetings held in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa.

The meetings were designed to strengthen economic partnerships and unlock new opportunities for collaboration between the business communities in Dubai and South Africa.

A delegation led by Salem Al Shamsi, Executive Vice President of International Relations at Dubai Chambers, met with the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI), with the participation of Advocate Mtho Xulu, President of SACCI. The chambers also met with South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition and Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The discussions focused on strengthening private sector cooperation, supporting SMEs, and exploring opportunities for South African companies to expand into Dubai leveraging the advantages offered by the emirate.

Dubai Chambers also participated in a business networking event organised by Wesgro, the official tourism, trade, and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape, as well as a separate networking event organised by the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The meetings took place on the sidelines of a trade mission organised by Dubai Chamber of Commerce to South Africa. The mission forms part of the chamber’s efforts to support the expansion of companies operating in Dubai into the South African market by exploring prospects for cooperation with local partners and identifying new avenues for growth across key sectors.

Meanwhile Dubai Chambers has discussed ways to strengthen trade and investment flows with the Kingdom of Lesotho during a meeting held in Johannesburg with a high-level delegation headed by the Rt. Hon. Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho.

The meeting was attended by Salem AlShamsi, Executive Vice President of International Relations at Dubai Chambers, and Mahash Saeed AlHameli, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Republic of South Africa and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho.

The meeting was attended by several ministers from the Kingdom of Lesotho, including Hon. Nthati Moorosi, Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation; Hon. Mohlomi Moleko, Minister of Natural Resources; Hon. Motlatsi Maqelepo, Minister of Trade, Industry and Business Development; and Ntsime Jafeta, High Commissioner of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the Republic of South Africa.

The Rt. Hon. Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to strengthening investment ties with Dubai. He highlighted the importance of drawing on Dubai’s extensive expertise in logistics, infrastructure, and the digital economy to advance investment cooperation between the two markets.

The Prime Minister also called for the organisation of a Dubai-Lesotho Business Forum as an ideal platform to showcase investment opportunities and create new channels for partnership and collaboration between the business communities in Dubai and Lesotho, while praising Dubai’s economic model and its prominent position on the global stage.

WAM