UK businesses to target increased exports and investments at Dubai Business Forum
British businesses operating across a wide range of sectors are being encouraged to take advantage of a major new initiative launched by Dubai Chambers, a non-profit public entity that supports Dubai’s vision as a global player by empowering businesses, providing innovative value-added services, and offering access to influential networks.
Hosted under the theme 'Transforming Economic Power: Dubai and the Future of Global Trade,’ the inaugural edition of the Dubai Business Forum will take place at the emirate’s Madinat Jumeirah from 1-2 November. The influential gathering will bring together key public and private sector stakeholders from around the world to participate in insightful discussions and interactive sessions, creating a dynamic platform to accelerate the growth of trade and investments.
The Dubai Business Forum aligns with the goals of the UK’s 2021 Export Strategy, which has set an ambitious target to achieve £1 trillion ($1.26 trillion) in exports by 2030. According to Dubai Customs statistics, the total value of non-oil bilateral trade between the UK and Dubai reached £6.7 billion ($8.1 billion) in 2022, representing an impressive year-on-year growth of 28.6%. The transformative two-day event will welcome UK-based companies in sectors including technology, retail, finance, travel and hospitality, real estate, and healthcare to participate in a packed conference agenda aimed at transforming business for the future.
Commenting on the launch of the forum, His Excellency Abdul Aziz Abdulla Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chambers, said: “This prestigious event will serve as a catalyst for change by creating an unrivalled platform for networking and dealmaking that will empower business leaders from across the globe and create exciting opportunities throughout the global economy. We look forward to hosting insightful sessions that will unlock fresh growth in trade and investments and transform the future of business.”
As part of Dubai Business Forum, Dubai Chambers is also unveiling ‘The Deals Hub’ to unlock global trade and investment opportunities. The dedicated dealmaking space will host a full spectrum of agreements including major partnerships, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, large investments and fundraising rounds, government contracts, cross-border trade agreements, and memorandums of understanding.
British businesses seeking to expand into overseas markets will be drawn to the fact that the UAE was recently ranked as the world’s most favourable business environment for entrepreneurs for the second year running, according to the 2022/2023 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report. Startups in Dubai raised more than $2 billion in funding during 2022 alone, and over 40% of scaleups in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are based in the emirate.
Dubai’s strategic location as a global gateway for business and international trade positions it as the ideal venue to host an event of this significance. Recognised as one of the world’s leading centres for innovation and partnerships, the emirate serves as a bridge connecting continents that drive economic growth and global collaboration.
