Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed, the Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, was present at the successful conclusion of the UAE-China Business Forum, which saw the participation of over 300 delegates. The Chinese delegation was headed by Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. Organised by Dubai Chambers and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME), the event was jointly hosted by the UAE’s Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China. The Forum facilitated discussions between business leaders and investors from both countries, aiming to strengthen economic and trade ties and foster mutual investments.
The event took place during celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the UAE and the People’s Republic of China. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, highlighted the historical and strategic relationship between the UAE and China, emphasizing close cooperation, particularly in economic and investment sectors. He credited the robust bilateral relations to the mutual commitment of both leaderships to advance cooperation, promote mutual investments, and support the growth of Emirati and Chinese companies in both markets.
In his address at the Forum, Bin Touq stated, “We view the Chinese business community as a pivotal economic partner for the UAE’s business sector. The number of Chinese businesses operating in the UAE has reached approximately 15,500. We are optimistic that expanding cooperation into new economic sectors will further enhance our economic and investment relations.” He also noted the importance of the UAE-China Business and Investment Forum as a platform to advance bilateral economic and investment cooperation, supporting joint efforts to develop more fruitful partnerships and agreements.
Bin Touq discussed the UAE’s new economic model and its alignment with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, along with advancements in the country’s legislative and economic landscape. He invited Chinese companies to explore opportunities in various sectors such as tourism, aviation, circular economy, FinTech, e-commerce, infrastructure, Artificial Intelligence (AI), healthcare, smart transportation, and sustainable manufacturing. He also emphasized the significant role of the tourism industry in the economic cooperation between the two countries, noting a remarkable growth in Chinese visitors to the UAE.
Abdul Aziz Abdulla Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chambers, highlighted China’s status as the UAE’s top trading partner and the establishment of three overseas offices in China by the Dubai International Chamber. He reiterated Dubai Chambers’ commitment to supporting the Chinese business community and underscored the importance of China as a strategic partner. The Forum included four panel discussions featuring 20 speakers, focusing on sovereign wealth funds, energy sector partnerships, and cross-investment opportunities.
