Hamburg: The Dubai Business Forum-Germany concluded in Hamburg with the active participation of 240 German business leaders and investors, alongside representatives from government entities and private sector companies from Dubai. This event provided a crucial platform for German enterprises to delve into new opportunities arising from the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) within Dubai's forward-looking economy.
According to Emirates News Agency, the forum, themed 'Innovate, Invest, Integrate: Forging a New Path for Dubai-German Economic Synergy,' was organized by Dubai Chambers in collaboration with the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce as the Strategic Partner. The Hamburg Representative Office Dubai and the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce (AHK) also supported the event. It featured 25 speakers across 13 panel discussions, focusing on enhancing ties between the business communities of Dubai and Germany.
The sessions underscored the vast potential of Dubai's economy, highlighting the emirate's competitive advantages and an innovation-driven business ecosystem. Participants learned how Dubai's strategic strengths are paving the way for new investment opportunities for German and international businesses, reinforcing the emirate's status as a key commercial hub for accessing regional and global markets.
Eng. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Dubai Chambers, emphasized in his opening remarks the strong relationship between Dubai and Germany, rooted in a shared commitment to innovation and sustainable growth. He noted that Germany ranks 15th among Dubai's top global trading partners, with non-oil bilateral trade reaching AED39.7 billion in 2024, marking an 8 percent year-on-year increase.
Al Mansoori further added that the number of new German companies joining the Dubai Chamber of Commerce grew by 64 percent in 2024, demonstrating growing confidence among German businesses and investors in Dubai's role as a global commerce hub. By the end of Q1 2025, the total active member companies from Germany had reached 2,719. The forum aims to elevate investment and trade relations between Dubai and Germany, creating high-value opportunities across key sectors, particularly in future-oriented industries.
Dubai Chambers facilitated bilateral meetings between the Dubai delegation, including representatives from government bodies, institutions, and private sector companies, and German business leaders and investors. These meetings aimed to explore collaboration avenues, foster knowledge exchange, and develop innovative partnership models to support sustainable economic growth and global market expansion.
One panel session focused on future bilateral investment opportunities between Dubai and Germany, highlighting Dubai's progressive regulatory framework, tax advantages, and investment-driven incentives fostering cross-border transactions and business growth between the UAE and Europe. Discussions also touched upon the accelerating momentum in mergers, acquisitions, and private investment activities, with strategic partnerships driving expansion across high-growth sectors.
In another session, Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, discussed Dubai's value proposition and its competitive advantages for German companies across various sectors, emphasizing the roles of chamber initiatives and public-private collaboration in driving mutual interests.
Further, the forum examined Dubai's appeal to venture capital firms and high-growth startups from Europe, focusing on its evolution into a global startup powerhouse. The emirate is attracting entrepreneurs and innovators globally, driving innovation across sectors like fintech, healthtech, AI, and sustainability.
A dedicated session explored Dubai's role as a strategic gateway for global growth for German industries. Speakers highlighted synergies between Germany's expertise in engineering and industrial innovation and the investment opportunities from Dubai's D33 Agenda, which focuses on growth, innovation, and sustainability.
The forum also examined the future of technology and joint investments between Dubai and Germany, discussing Dubai's emergence as a global hub for AI, Web3, and digital assets. The emirate's strong innovation ecosystem and intellectual property protection framework appeal to companies in fintech, healthtech, and smart mobility.
In addition, a session explored key sectors driving foreign direct investment into Dubai, including real estate, tourism, e-commerce, and financial markets, noting how Dubai's financial market reforms and capital market incentives are creating high-growth opportunities. The discussion also addressed the impact of digital trade and the experience economy on global commerce and how businesses can leverage Dubai's strategic position to scale internationally.