Dubai Chambers hosted an open dialogue in London. The event, organized in cooperation with the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), was designed to showcase Dubai’s competitive advantages to a group of leading British investors. His Excellency Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, addressed the audience alongside senior UK business leaders, underscoring the city’s role as a gateway for regional and global expansion.
Dialogue highlights Dubai’s appeal to British investors. The session brought together representatives from LCCI and British investors to discuss Dubai’s position as a global business hub. Participants heard how the city’s advanced economic model and business‑friendly environment support expansion across diverse sectors, from finance to logistics. The discussion also outlined the practical support Dubai Chambers offers to UK firms, including guidance on company registration, licensing and market entry, ensuring a smooth establishment and growth trajectory for newcomers.
Dubai has emerged as a preferred investment destination for British companies seeking to expand their presence across the Middle East and global markets. — Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers
Speakers highlighted the recently signed free trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council, noting that the pact enables British investors to leverage Dubai’s strategic location as a hub for international trade. By reducing tariffs and simplifying customs procedures, the agreement is expected to deepen commercial ties and open new avenues for collaboration between UK businesses and Emirati partners.
Trade figures underline growing UK‑Dubai ties. During the first quarter of 2026, 562 new British companies joined Dubai Chamber of Commerce, bringing the total number of active British members to 10,334 by the end of March. This represents a growth of more than 330 % compared with the 2,402 British member companies recorded at the end of 2020, illustrating the accelerating interest of UK firms in the Dubai market. Non‑oil trade between Dubai and the United Kingdom reached AED 42.6 billion in 2025, up from AED 23.1 billion in 2021, achieving growth of 91 % over five years. The United Kingdom ranked 17th among Dubai’s largest international trading partners in 2025, confirming the importance of the bilateral economic relationship and the effectiveness of the support provided by Dubai Chambers to British investors.
Frequently asked questions
- How many new UK companies joined Dubai Chamber in 2026? 562 new British companies joined Dubai Chamber of Commerce in Q1 2026, raising the total active members to 10,334 by March.
- What is the UK‑Dubai trade value in 2026? The dialogue reported non‑oil trade between Dubai and the United Kingdom reached AED 42.6 billion in 2025, the latest figure cited.
- What support does Dubai offer UK investors? Dubai Chambers provides UK firms with guidance on company registration, licensing, and market‑entry assistance to facilitate smooth establishment and growth.
- What growth rate do UK companies show in Dubai? British company membership grew by over 330 % between 2020 (2,402 members) and March 2026 (10,334 members).
