Dubai's push to become a global trade hub is picking up pace, with the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) reporting a 9.4% rise in Chinese companies joining its business community over the past year. This growth follows a recent DMCC promotional tour through Shanghai, Wuxi, and Xi'an, aimed at attracting more Chinese investment and trade. The Emirates News Agency (WAM) notes that this momentum fits into Dubai's broader economic strategy and the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
There are now more than 1,000 Chinese firms operating in DMCC, and over 60% of them work in energy, engineering, advanced machinery, technology, or telecommunications. This is the result of a deliberate focus: DMCC's roadshow targeted China's major industrial cities, known for their strength in manufacturing, energy, and technology. According to The National, this approach is helping Dubai attract high-value investments that support its shift toward a knowledge-based economy.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC, says trade between the UAE and China has reached record levels in 2025. He points to the 9.4% growth in Chinese business registrations as proof of Dubai's appeal for companies looking to expand into the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. This fits with the UAE's Vision 2031, which emphasizes foreign direct investment and the growth of advanced industries.
During stops in Shanghai and Xi'an, DMCC signed two new institutional agreements: one with the Xi'an Chamber of Commerce and another with the Shanghai Pudong Overseas Investment Service Centre. These deals are meant to make it easier for businesses to connect, exchange information, and build stronger links between Dubai and China's leading industrial regions. The Dubai Media Office has highlighted the role of such agreements in strengthening Dubai's position as a global trade and innovation hub.
In Shanghai, DMCC hosted a roundtable to launch the Chinese edition of its "Future of Trade 2026" report, which looks at changes in global commerce and the growing importance of South-South trade. DMCC research shows these trade flows now make up about 35% of global trade. The Shanghai discussions focused on trade, finance, and technology, while meetings in Xi'an covered energy, engineering, and advanced industry-areas where many Chinese DMCC companies already operate. This focus matches ongoing regulatory changes in the UAE, including recent Central Bank initiatives to improve cross-border financial infrastructure.
Trade between the UAE and China is not only growing but also diversifying. Non-oil bilateral trade reached $111.5 billion in 2025, up 24.5% from the previous year. New areas of cooperation are emerging in advanced technology, new energy, digital commerce, and complex industrial supply chains. Dubai's business leaders are positioning the city as a launchpad for Chinese firms looking to expand globally. As Reuters reports, the UAE's non-oil trade growth with China is setting new standards for the region.
DMCC is not alone in this effort. As previously reported, other Dubai organizations are also building closer ties with China, developing new trade and technology links that reinforce Dubai's role as a regional gateway. The Abu Dhabi Media Office has noted similar trends in the capital, reflecting a nationwide push to attract investment from Asia's high-tech and energy sectors.
DMCC's strategy is to focus on sectors that will shape the next phase of global trade. By bringing Chinese companies into Dubai's free zone, supported by infrastructure, regulation, and access to emerging markets, DMCC is helping shift the city's economic base toward advanced industry and technology. The recent influx of Chinese companies is a clear sign of this change, and it is already having an impact on Dubai's position in global commerce.
