Dubai Chambers has successfully concluded the inaugural edition of Dubai Business Forum (DBF), in which more than 2,000 global changemakers, business leaders, industry experts, investors, and economists from 49 countries. 

 

Hosted under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the event, under the theme ‘Shifting Economic Power: Dubai and the Future of Global Trade’, took place recently at Madinat Jumeirah.

 

Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, said: “The impact of the DBF speaks volumes about the emirate’s strategic position in an increasingly interconnected world. By hosting a wide cross-section of speakers from all over the world with expertise in diverse strategic fields, the forum offered unique insights into Dubai’s growing role in shaping international trade and the global economic landscape. In addition to serving as a valuable platform for knowledge sharing, the forum also proved highly rewarding for those seeking networking and partnership opportunities.”

 

The Future Theatre 

Another key component of the DBF was The Future Theatre, which hosted keynote sessions examining eight thematic pillars. The platform took a deep dive into the future of industries, trade hubs, investments, economies, IoT, robotics, AI, and cities. 

 

More than 550 business meetings were scheduled through the forum’s app, and the event also saw over 20 deals signed as part of The Deals Hub, a dedicated platform for global business leaders and investors to forge and announce major business initiatives, partnerships, investments, and commercial alliances. 

 

Notable deals

Notable deals involving Dubai Chambers included the establishment of a new China Innovation Centre, an MoU for the launch of an ‘Innovation Corridor’ with the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, and an agreement with PT Bank Syariah Indonesia – the largest Sharia bank in Indonesia – to enhance the sharing of banking and finance intelligence.

 

Additionally, the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) announced the launch of a VC fund worth AED500 million ($136 million) to finance technology startups and contribute to achieving the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).--TradeArabia News Service