ع
Dubai Chambers signed memorandums of understanding with four leading Chinese trade organisations, the body said in a statement released this week. The agreements were inked at the Dubai Business Forum – China, which took place in Shenzhen and brought together senior representatives from both sides to explore expanded commercial cooperation. The pacts cover the Beijing Chamber of International Commerce, the China Chamber of International Commerce Shenzhen Branch, the China Chamber of International Commerce Guangzhou Chamber of Commerce and the China Chamber of International Commerce Chongqing Chamber of Commerce. Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, president and CEO of Dubai Chambers, signed three of the documents while Salem AlShamsi, executive vice president for international relations at the organisation, signed the fourth.
According to the Dubai Chambers statement, the MoUs aim to strengthen relations between the respective business communities while supporting the development of broader economic links. The framework also seeks to enhance direct engagement between companies in Dubai and their counterparts in those four Chinese cities, creating avenues for new trade and investment opportunities. Lootah stated that the organisation remains committed to building effective partnerships that enable businesses to explore promising prospects in priority markets. The Chongqing agreement includes extra provisions for promoting trade and investment activities along with information exchange on international exhibitions and commercial events.
Dubai Chambers figures show that non-oil trade between Dubai and China reached approximately AED 363.5 billion in 2025. That total reflected an increase of nearly 23 percent from the previous year and a rise of 118.4 percent since 2016, when the value stood at AED 166.4 billion. The organisation’s data further indicate that Chinese foreign direct investment into Dubai nearly tripled between 2024 and 2025, climbing from about AED 1.2 billion to more than AED 3.4 billion. Over the longer period since 2016, Dubai has attracted more than 300 Chinese FDI projects carrying combined capital exceeding AED 24.6 billion.
The number of active Chinese companies registered with Dubai Chambers stood at 6,650 by the end of September 2026, according to the organisation’s records. That headcount represents more than three times the total recorded in 2016, with the majority operating in trade and services. The forum itself drew 854 Chinese investors and business leaders together with 112 senior figures from Dubai’s public and private sectors, marking the largest overseas delegation ever organised by the chambers. Discussions at the event focused on sectors including artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and cross-border supply chains.
Lootah said in the statement that the partnerships form part of a wider effort to develop a supportive ecosystem for the local private sector. He added that such initiatives help companies expand their international presence through the exchange of expertise and knowledge. The agreements also establish mechanisms for mutual support in business development activities across the covered regions. Dubai Chambers organised the Shenzhen gathering under the theme of accelerating shared success between the two markets.
The latest moves build on sustained growth in economic relations that have seen China remain Dubai’s largest trading partner, Dubai Chambers data confirm. Officials at the forum outlined ambitions to attract additional Chinese production and technology capabilities to the emirate while reinforcing its role as a global distribution hub. The organisation continues to train thousands of local businesses in emerging technologies as part of its strategy to maintain competitiveness in an evolving global landscape.
