Dubai–India Business Forum Boosts Trade & Investment Ties

Photo: Dubai Government Media Office

Dubai Chambers successfully held the Dubai–India Business Forum in Mumbai today. The event took place during the visit of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

This important forum brought together more than 200 top officials and investors, including a delegation of 39 well-known business leaders from Dubai. The main goal of the event was to find new ways to grow business between Dubai and India.

The forum happened nearly three years after the UAE and India signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on 18 February 2022. This was the UAE’s first deal under its CEPA programme and has helped both countries get closer in business and trade.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel  

During the event, the participants talked about how to increase trade and investments between Dubai and India. They also looked at starting new partnerships and joint business ventures. The discussions focused on the business strengths of both places and how these can help each other grow faster.

In his opening speech, His Excellency Ahmad bin Byat, Vice Chairman of Dubai Chambers, said:“Dubai and India have a strong and trusted friendship. India is one of Dubai’s most important trading partners. From January to September 2024, non-oil trade between the two places was worth over AED 142 billion, which is 19% more than last year. As we celebrate three years of the CEPA agreement, we believe trade between our countries will keep growing in the future.”

His Excellency Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, shared more details, saying:“Dubai is a favorite place for Indian businesses to invest. Many Indian companies trust Dubai for its benefits and easy business environment. As of March 2025, there were 72,651 active Indian companies registered with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce. In just the first three months of 2025, 4,563 new Indian companies joined, which is a 16.2% increase compared to the same time last year. Indian companies are now the top foreign businesses in Dubai.”

He also added:“We hosted this event in Mumbai to show our strong commitment to building better connections between Indian and Dubai businesses. The forum gives everyone a chance to talk about new ideas, find areas to work together, and explore ways to support each other in reaching long-term business goals.”

The event also included a special panel discussion with:

• HE Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah,

• R Mukundan, Vice President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII),

• Adeeb Ahamed, Chair of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) - Arab Council, and

• Anant Singhania, Past President and current member of the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

This session talked about the future of business between Dubai and India, especially in trade and investments. The speakers also discussed Dubai’s role as a gateway for Indian companies wanting to grow in global markets. They shared ideas on how both countries can help each other become more competitive worldwide.

The Dubai–India Business Forum is part of Dubai Chambers’ ongoing mission to:

• Build strong global partnerships,

• Support cross-border trade, and

• Create more opportunities for investment and growth in both Dubai and international markets.

The event made it clear that Dubai and India will continue working closely to build a bright future together in business.