Indian firms make up Dubai’s biggest foreign business community

Indian firms remain Dubai’s largest foreign business community, with 79k active members and nearly 13k new registrations in Dubai Chamber of Commerce till September 2025, Dubai Chambers chief Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah told Businessworld. India-Dubai trade hit a new high in 2024, with non-oil trade rising 16% to USD 52.6 bn on account of the CEPA tariff cuts strengthening supply-chain linkages and private-sector mobility, Lootah said.

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What’s the catch? Dubai’s D33 economic agenda is pulling Indian companies deeper into AI, software, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and sustainability — all sectors where Indian capabilities align with the emirate’s ambitions. With real estate, construction, and trading drawing heavy Indian participation, Lootah expects the partnership to expand in scale and relevance.

A clearer runway into Dubai: Dubai’s outreach offices in Mumbai and Bengaluru are becoming critical landing points for Indian firms seeking scale, offering on-the-ground support to navigate regulations, identify partners, and assess new commercial avenues.

Why do Indian companies choose Dubai? From Dubai, Indian businesses gain faster access to international customers, diversified revenue streams, and a business environment engineered for cross-border expansion, particularly in the MENA region.

MEANWHILE- Abu Dhabi stepped up its India outreach this week, sealing five MoUs in Mumbai on Wednesday and holding dozens of high-level meetings as the emirate targets Indian capital, talent, and scale-ready firms for its next phase of diversification, Businessworld reports. The MoUs cover startups, family enterprises, logistics, manufacturing, and trade facilitation.

Sector by sector: A delegation, led by Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, met with ministers, conglomerates, and investors across fast-growing sectors.