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Dubai Chambers held a roadshow in Shenzhen and Guangzhou to deepen cooperation with 18 Chinese entities spanning government bodies, chambers of commerce, and trade and investment promotion organizations. The meetings focused on strengthening institutional ties and advancing bilateral trade and investment.

The delegation presented Dubai’s advantages as a global hub for commerce and capital, emphasizing its role as a gateway for companies from China’s Greater Bay Area seeking international expansion. Officials outlined the support available to Chinese firms establishing operations in Dubai and highlighted how Dubai International Chamber’s network of overseas offices helps Dubai-based companies expand abroad.

Talks also addressed collaboration across strategic sectors and previewed opportunities to be presented at the Dubai Business Forum - China, scheduled for May 14, 2026, in Shenzhen. The forum will introduce Chinese businesses to investment prospects linked to the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).

Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, said the organization aims to build on longstanding economic ties with China and foster partnerships that support growth in trade and investment.

The Shenzhen forum will be the fifth international edition of the Dubai Business Forum and the second held in China. The city was selected for its leadership in the digital economy and technology, aligning with the forum’s focus on cross-border collaboration and global market access.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Dubai Chambers met with a delegation from the U.S. state of Illinois led by State Senator Seth Lewis to discuss strengthening business partnerships and expanding trade and investment links. The meeting focused on practical avenues to deepen economic cooperation between Dubai and Illinois.

Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, welcomed the delegation and outlined opportunities for collaboration in trade, investment, and participation in business events in both markets. Dubai Chambers reiterated its commitment to supporting U.S. companies seeking to enter or expand in Dubai, while highlighting available investment frameworks and private sector partnerships.

Discussions emphasized shared interests in logistics, advanced manufacturing, technology, and sustainable energy. Participants also explored Dubai’s role as a gateway for Illinois exports to Africa and the Middle East and North Africa, as well as potential logistics partnerships to strengthen supply chains and expand services in Illinois.

The talks also covered cooperation in innovation-driven sectors, including quantum computing, renewable energy, and other advanced technologies. Both sides agreed to continue economic dialogue to support growth and closer trade integration.

Trade relations between Dubai and the United States remain strong, with bilateral non-oil trade reaching AED 116.4 billion in 2024, reflecting annual growth of 10%.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Dubai Chamber of Commerce reported a record AED356.5 billion in members’ exports and re-exports in 2025, the highest annual figure in its history and a 15.1% increase from AED309.6 billion in 2024. It is the second consecutive year in which the total surpassed AED300 billion, underscoring the continued expansion of Dubai’s trade activity.

The chamber, one of three operating under Dubai Chambers, said the growth reflects the ability of Dubai-based companies to adjust to changing global trade conditions while widening their reach into international markets.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, described the results as evidence of international confidence in Dubai’s economic framework and business environment. He linked the performance to the emirate’s long-term strategy under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

Membership also rose sharply. A total of 71,830 new companies joined the chamber in 2025, bringing active membership to 292,486, up 13.2% from the previous year. During the same period, the chamber issued 852,184 certificates of origin, a 7.7% increase, and handled 5,960 ATA Carnets valued at AED5.6 billion, reflecting growth in both volume and value.

The chamber supported 130 local companies in expanding into overseas markets, a 14% increase from 2024. It also reviewed 54 laws and draft laws with Business Groups, achieving a 60% adoption rate for private-sector recommendations, and held 250 meetings with Business Groups and Business Councils.

Five new Business Councils were established to represent investors from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Brazil, Slovakia, and Peru, alongside the launch of the Dubai Delivery Business Group. Mediation activity increased to 201 cases, with a combined value exceeding AED241 million and a settlement rate of about 67%.

Through the Dubai Centre for Family Businesses, three new advisory services were introduced, along with training programmes and governance sessions aimed at strengthening family-owned enterprises. In sustainability efforts, the chamber awarded its ESG Label to 50 companies and expanded its long-running sustainability programme under the new “Sustainability 365” identity.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev Macambira

Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.

Petrochem Middle East has inaugurated a AED 300 million petrochemical terminal and corporate headquarters at Jebel Ali Port, expanding the company’s logistics capacity and supporting Dubai’s industrial growth strategy under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

The new facility, Petrochem’s largest to date, consolidates its operational and corporate functions in a purpose-built site designed to support long-term growth. The terminal enhances chemical storage, handling, and distribution capabilities, strengthening supply chains for manufacturing, energy, and industrial sectors across the UAE and international markets.

“This inauguration is more than a new address - it reflects our long-term commitment to Dubai,” said Rohan Mehta, Managing Director of Petrochem. “The facility is designed for the next three decades of growth and innovation, aligning with Dubai’s economic vision and supporting our people, partners, and stakeholders.”

The project, constructed to LEED Gold standards, includes Petrochem’s second UAE terminal and multiple office buildings. It aims to improve operational integration, expand distribution capacity, and enhance supply chain resilience, bolstering Dubai’s position as a global trade hub.

DP World leadership highlighted the terminal’s contribution to industrial development. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO, said Petrochem’s expansion reflects confidence in Dubai as a base for long-term industrial growth and strengthens the emirate’s chemical and manufacturing sectors. Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO & MD of DP World GCC, noted that consolidating operations and logistics at Jebel Ali allows companies to operate more efficiently across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.

Founded in 1995 in Dubai, Petrochem has grown from a single office in Jebel Ali Free Zone into a multinational chemical distributor with operations across the Middle East, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Africa. The new terminal underscores the company’s continued investment in Dubai as a center for industrial and economic growth.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev Macambira

Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.

Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park, the emirate’s premier higher education hubs under TECOM Group PJSC, reported a 15% increase in student enrollment for the 2024-25 academic year. The combined student body now exceeds 38,500, reflecting Dubai’s ongoing development as a global education center.

Together, the two districts attract students from over 170 countries and host more than 600 academic and vocational programs, spanning bachelor’s degrees, diplomas, and doctorates. Institutions include Amity University, Curtin University, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, Middlesex University Dubai, Murdoch University Dubai, University of Birmingham Dubai, and University of Wollongong Dubai. Postgraduate offerings are strengthened by programs from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, The University of Manchester - Dubai, University of Bradford, and University of Strathclyde Business School UAE.

“Dubai continues to attract the world’s brightest talent,” said Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice President of Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park. “Our districts combine internationally recognized universities, vocational institutes, and training academies to equip learners with skills aligned to the future economy.”

The districts provide specialized facilities, including built-to-suit campuses, labs, and Grade-A offices. They also host initiatives connecting students with industry leaders, such as Campus Talks and UNCOVERED, alongside strategic forums like the Knowledge Assembly, which convenes academic and business leaders to guide the emirate’s higher education priorities.

TECOM Group’s broader ecosystem supports collaboration and innovation. Students and researchers benefit from access to entrepreneurial resources through in5, an incubator that has helped launch ventures like Relphacare Technologies, founded by an Amity University Dubai student. Administrative support, including streamlined visa and corporate services, is provided via TECOM’s axs platform.

Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park are integral components of TECOM Group’s Education Cluster, which complements the group’s network of business districts, including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Science Park, Dubai Design District, and Dubai Industrial City.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Oksana Bozhko

Oksana Bozhko is a Contributor to Dubai Voice.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will begin a pilot program for pooled school transportation in the first quarter of 2026, partnering with Yango Group and Urban Express Transport. The initiative is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to improve daily student mobility and support a sustainable transport system.

The program will operate shared buses serving multiple schools within defined geographic zones, allowing students traveling along similar routes to share transportation. RTA officials said the pilot aims to reduce traffic congestion near schools, optimize vehicle usage, and maintain high safety standards.

Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of the RTA Public Transport Agency, emphasized that the initiative would incorporate smart technology for trip management, vehicle tracking, and operational monitoring. “This pilot represents a step toward developing new models for school transport in Dubai, with the potential for wider rollout based on measured outcomes,” he said.

Islam Abdul Karim, Regional Head of Yango Group, noted that the project seeks to address daily mobility challenges by using data-driven route optimization and real-time operational oversight. “The initiative aims to reduce peak-hour traffic, improve service reliability, and offer a safer, more affordable option for families,” he said.

Dr. Mohammad Al Hashimi, Founder and CEO of Urban Express Transport, added that the program supports Dubai’s long-term transport goals by enhancing bus utilization and contributing to sustainable mobility solutions.

The pilot follows the signing of memoranda of understanding between RTA, Yango Group, and Urban Express Transport, formalizing the collaboration.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev Macambira

Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.

The second edition of the Fazza Falcons Racing Cup (Telwah) began on Jan. 12 at the Lahbab Track at the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center in Dubai, under the directives of Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of both the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing and the UAE Falcons Federation.

The championship, held over a 400-meter distance, follows its inaugural edition last year, which recorded wide participation and set technical and competitive benchmarks for falconry racing. Organizers say the event is designed to build on those standards while providing a structured competitive platform for falconers.

The cup was established in recognition of the support for falconry racing from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. Total prizes for this year’s championship amount to AED 2.8 million.

Competitions in the Public Category (Owners - Open) were held on Jan. 12, while the Sheikh Category races are scheduled for Jan. 17 across six rounds.

Falcons competing in the Farkh category - Jeer Shaheen, Jeer Tibah, Pure Jeer, and Qarmousha - that place in the top three in the Symbol and Golden Burqa rounds of the Fazza Championship for Falconry -  Telwah, as well as first-place winners in the Cash rounds, qualify for the Fazza Falcons Racing Cup. The top three Farkh category falcons from the cup will advance to the final rounds of the Mohammed bin Rashid Falcons Cup.

Rashid bin Markhan, Secretary General of the International Federation for Falconry Sports and Racing and the UAE Falcons Federation, said the championship has established a strong national presence since its launch. He noted that senior leadership attended the inaugural edition and crowned the winners, reflecting official support for falconry as a key element of the UAE’s heritage.

The UAE Falcons Federation has published the championship’s terms and conditions through its official social media platforms to ensure participants and stakeholders have access to accurate and timely information.

Photo credits: Government of Dubai Media Office

Alexander Agafiev Macambira

Alexander Agafiev Macambira is former tech contributing writer for Forbes Monaco.