Chinese business leaders and investors explored new opportunities in the emirate at the first international edition of the Dubai Business Forum – China, which took place in Beijing from August 21-22.

Organised by Dubai Chambers, the event attracted 800 prominent Chinese business leaders and investors, who learned more about the promising opportunities available for the Chinese business community in the emirate as a result of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), and featured high-level participation from key government entities and private companies from the emirate.

The forum, which was held under the theme ‘China, Dubai and Beyond: Igniting Global Trade and Investment,’ showcased the emirate’s thriving economy and competitive advantages, as well as the key strategic initiatives and projects in Dubai that provide quality investment opportunities for the Chinese and global business communities.

Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, said at the forum: “The Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) is an integrated roadmap for economic development that enhances the emirate’s competitiveness and places us firmly on track to achieve our goals of doubling the size of Dubai’s economy over the coming decade and consolidating its position among the top three cities globally.

“Close partnerships and constructive cooperation between the public and private sectors create an exceptional investment environment for the global business community.”

“The total number of active Chinese companies registered as members of Dubai Chamber of Commerce increased to around 5,400 at the end of H1 2024, while the cumulative value of foreign direct investments from China to Dubai reached AED 19.85 billion between 2015 – 2023.”

Strengthening Connections

Dubai Chambers organised a series of bilateral business meetings between members of the delegation from Dubai, which included government entities and private sector companies, and Chinese investors and business leaders.

The discussions created a platform to explore opportunities for cooperation and forge partnerships across a range of sectors.

Strategic MoU

On the sidelines of the forum, Dubai Chambers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Beijing Subcouncil (CCPIT Beijing). The agreement is aimed at supporting CCPIT Beijing’s member companies in establishing and expanding their investments in Dubai, and promote the mutual interests of businesses in Dubai and China.

A Leading Hub for Innovation

The forum featured a total of 18 insightful sessions addressing a range of topics and sectors including trade and logistics, artificial intelligence, FDI, renewable energy and healthcare.

E-Commerce Prospects

The forum’s agenda included a panel discussion exploring emerging opportunities in the e-commerce sector. The session examined effective strategies to meet the evolving needs of consumers, as well as the latest developments in support services and the infrastructure and technologies required to thrive in the fast-growing world of e-commerce.

During the session, speakers highlighted the importance of Dubai’s strategic location and advanced logistics infrastructure in expanding the business of Chinese e-commerce companies and increasing their share in this highly competitive market.

Role of Free Zones

The forum also showcased the unique benefits of Dubai’s free zones, which offer numerous competitive advantages and are tailored to the needs of specific sectors. Discussions highlighted their role in supporting economic diversification and enabling investors and companies to achieve sustainable growth.

Leveraging Advanced Technologies

Artificial Intelligence (AI) formed a key pillar of the forum’s agenda, with a dedicated panel session addressing the shared visions of Dubai and China in this important field. Participants explored the synergies between China's advanced research and development capabilities and the importance Dubai attaches to promoting AI applications.

Advancing Sustainability

Sustainability and green technologies featured prominently on the agenda, with strategies to promote sustainable business forming the main focus of a panel discussion highlighting mutually beneficial opportunities in the field between Dubai and China.

The session examined the development of private sector joint ventures in the clean energy sector, with the goal of promoting the sharing of knowledge, experience, and best practices to meet the growing global demand for innovative and sustainable solutions.

Healthcare was also in the spotlight during an interactive dialogue that highlighted the strong emphasis Dubai places on medical data analysis and telehealth services to enhance the infrastructure and services within the industry and create a conducive environment for the private sector to develop innovative healthcare solutions. – TradeArabia News Service