Dubai Chambers explored prospects for enhancing trade and investment cooperation between Dubai and European Union (EU) countries today during a roundtable with a high-level delegation led by H.E. Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security.
The investment roundtable was held amid progress on talks between the UAE and the EU regarding a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA).
The roundtable saw the participation of Eng. Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, chairman of Dubai Chambers; Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade; Lucie Berger, Ambassador of the European Union to the UAE; Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, president and CEO of Dubai Chambers; and Mr. Leon Delvaux, director at the directorate-general for Trade and Economic Security, together with representatives from Dubai and the European private sectors.
Dubai, EU trade grows 8 percent in 2024
The roundtable highlighted the growing economic relations between Dubai and the EU. The total value of non-oil trade between Dubai and EU member states reached AED206 billion in 2024, representing a year-on-year growth of 8 percent.
“The European Union is one of the main pillars of the global economy and our second-most important trade partner. As we accelerate efforts to bring our markets closer together, it is important that we build the platforms for our private sectors to identify and explore areas for collaboration, particularly in sectors that align with our economic diversification objectives,” stated Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade.
In a further indication of Dubai’s growing appeal as a leading business hub for European investors, the emirate attracted 380 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects from EU countries last year, with a total value of AED11.3 billion. This represents a 6.7 percent year-on-year increase in the number of projects and a remarkable 106 percent rise in the total value of investment projects.
“The EU-UAE Investment Roundtable is an important opportunity for business leaders from across all industries to build the relationships that can drive trade and investment to even greater heights,” added Al Zeyoudi.
Read: UAE, EU advance free trade deal talks amid major investment announcements
Dubai invests AED9.5 billion in EU
The total value of Dubai’s investments in EU countries between 2020 and 2024 amounted to AED9.5 billion, creating 8,000 jobs in European markets.
A total of 15,248 companies from EU countries were registered as active members of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce at the end of Q1 2025, representing a year-over-year growth of 27 percent. In addition, 4,693 new European companies joined the Dubai Chamber of Commerce during 2024.
“Dubai and the European Union share deep-rooted economic ties built on common interests, mutual aspirations and a joint commitment to developing a diversified and sustainable economy. Today’s roundtable is designed to advance collaboration in high-potential sectors and identify new avenues for growth. We are committed to supporting European companies and enabling them to expand and thrive while leveraging Dubai as a strategic hub to access new opportunities across local and regional markets,” added Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, chairman of Dubai Chambers.
