Dubai: Dubai Chambers organised an open dialogue in London to highlight Dubai’s competitive advantages as a leading global business hub, attracting interest from British investors and business leaders.The session, held in cooperation with the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), brought together senior representatives, including His Excellency Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, alongside members of the UK business community.Strengthening investment tiesDiscussions during the event focused on key investment opportunities across various sectors, as well as Dubai’s role as a strategic base for British companies seeking expansion across the Middle East and international markets.Participants also reviewed the support services offered by Dubai Chambers to facilitate business setup and growth, and explored opportunities arising from the recently signed free trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council.Mohammad Lootah said that Dubai has become a preferred destination for British companies due to its advanced economic model and business-friendly environment.“Dubai has emerged as a preferred investment destination for British companies seeking to expand their presence across the Middle East and global markets,” he said.Growing business presenceThe event comes amid a steady increase in British business activity in Dubai. A total of 562 new British companies joined the Dubai Chamber of Commerce in the first quarter of 2026, bringing the number of active British member companies to 10,334.This represents growth of more than 330 percent compared to the 2,402 British member companies recorded at the end of 2020.Trade growthEconomic ties between Dubai and the United Kingdom have also strengthened significantly in recent years. The value of non-oil trade between the two reached AED42.6 billion in 2025, up from AED23.1 billion in 2021, reflecting growth of 91 percent over five years.The United Kingdom ranked as Dubai’s 17th largest international trading partner in 2025.Supporting global expansionDubai Chambers emphasised that the dialogue reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen relations with global markets and support foreign investors.The session highlighted Dubai’s positioning as a hub for international trade, logistics and investment, offering access to regional and global markets through its infrastructure, regulatory environment and connectivity.Officials noted that continued collaboration between Dubai and the UK is expected to further enhance economic ties and create new opportunities for growth across multiple sectors.
