The momentum was underscored on the Dubai Enterprise Discussion board – USA in New York, the place senior leaders highlighted document commerce flows, rising funding in future sectors, and the growth of Dubai Chambers’ world footprint with the opening of its first US workplace.
The developments mirror deepening financial ties at a pivotal second for each markets.
US funding in Dubai
Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, affirmed throughout a panel session on the Dubai Enterprise Discussion board – USA that US direct funding in Dubai reached AED14.3bn ($3.9bn) within the first half of 2025.
This determine is double the overall US funding recorded in 2024, signalling Dubai’s rising enchantment as a worldwide funding hub for American companies.
Lootah highlighted Dubai’s position as a gateway for US firms increasing into high-growth world markets, notably Africa.
Dubai’s non-oil commerce with African international locations reached AED354.5bn ($96.5bn) in 2024, in contrast with america’ AED264.2bn ($71.9bn) commerce with Africa in the identical yr.
He added that Dubai’s exports and re-exports to world markets hit AED466bn ($126.8bn) throughout 2018–2024, attaining whole development exceeding 88 per cent and a compound annual development charge of 11.1 per cent.
Lootah additionally famous that 145 American buyers injected roughly AED3.6bn ($980m) into 158 digital-economy initiatives between 2020 and 2024, underscoring confidence in Dubai’s innovation atmosphere.
Dubai–US Financial Snapshot 2018–2025
| Metric | Determine | 12 months / Interval |
| US direct funding in Dubai (H1 2025) | AED14.3bn ($3.9bn) | 2025 |
| Whole US overseas direct funding into Dubai | AED79.6bn ($21.7bn) | 2015–2024 |
| Dubai non-oil commerce with Africa | AED354.5bn ($96.5bn) | 2024 |
| US commerce with Africa | AED264.2bn ($71.9bn) | 2024 |
| Dubai–US bilateral non-oil commerce | AED116.4bn ($31.7bn) | 2024 |
| Dubai exports to United States | AED19.1bn → AED34.1bn ($5.2bn → $9.3bn) | 2018–2024 |
| Dubai imports from United States | AED61bn → AED82.2bn ($16.6bn → $22.4bn) | 2018–2024 |
| US funding in Dubai’s digital financial system | AED3.6bn ($980m) | 2020–2024 |
| New US firms becoming a member of Dubai Chamber of Commerce | 787 new companies; 3,690 lively whole | First 9 months of 2025 |
| Share of world newly introduced FDI initiatives positioned in Dubai | 6.2 per cent | 2024 |
| US firms working in DIEZ zones | 112+ | 2025 |
| Free zones’ contribution to Dubai’s whole FDI | AED298bn ($81bn) | 2023 |
Dubai Chambers opens first US workplace
Dubai Chambers introduced the opening of its first consultant workplace in america, positioned in New York, in the course of the Dubai Enterprise Discussion board – USA.
The occasion gathered 700 senior enterprise leaders, buyers, and officers, and featured the biggest abroad delegation ever led by Dubai Chambers, comprising greater than 80 private and non-private sector leaders.
The brand new workplace strengthens the worldwide community of Dubai Worldwide Chamber and is designed to increase commerce and funding cooperation, help US firms coming into Dubai, and help Dubai-based companies pursuing development in america.
Throughout his opening remarks, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Dubai Chambers, mentioned:
“Dubai and america have constructed strong financial and commerce relations based on many years of productive cooperation and mutual belief.”
He confirmed that america ranked fourth amongst Dubai’s buying and selling companions in 2024, with bilateral non-oil commerce reaching AED116.4bn ($31.7bn) final yr, marking 10 per cent annual development.
US funding development
Al Mansoori added that 787 new US firms joined Dubai Chamber of Commerce within the first 9 months of 2025, bringing whole lively American firms to three,690 by the tip of September.
Dubai attracted AED79.6bn ($21.7bn) in US overseas direct funding between 2015 and 2024, with america rating first globally for whole FDI capital flows into Dubai throughout H1 2025, accounting for 35 per cent of whole inflows.
He mentioned the brand new workplace and the discussion board in New York would “unlock new paths for funding and construct high-value, sustainable partnerships” aligned with the Dubai Financial Agenda (D33).
AI, fintech, startups and enterprise capital
Throughout 14 panel periods that includes 32 audio system, discussion board discussions highlighted Dubai’s rising energy in future-focused sectors together with synthetic intelligence, fintech, quantum computing, robotics, and digital commerce.
Audio system emphasised Dubai’s built-in enterprise ecosystem, availability of expertise, supportive regulation, and entry to enterprise capital. Devoted panels examined sovereign wealth fund exercise, rising applied sciences in asset administration, and Dubai’s increasing position as a worldwide centre for innovation.
EY: Dubai amongst most engaging funding locations
Anthony O’Sullivan, Managing Companion of Ernst & Younger (EY) within the UAE, affirmed that Dubai is “one of the engaging cities on this planet” for funding and financial alternatives.
He mentioned the UAE stays one of many fastest-growing economies within the area, with development in 2025 anticipated to be led by logistics, actual property, and monetary providers.
Rising digital-economy areas comparable to synthetic intelligence, knowledge and digital belongings are attracting notably sturdy curiosity from worldwide firms.
O’Sullivan famous that 6.2 per cent of newly introduced overseas direct funding initiatives worldwide in 2024 had been positioned in Dubai, underscoring its world stature throughout sectors together with know-how, superior manufacturing, worldwide commerce, synthetic intelligence and healthcare.
Dubai–US commerce
Al Mansoori mentioned Dubai’s exports to america rose from AED19.1bn ($5.2bn) in 2018 to AED34.1bn ($9.3bn) in 2024 — a 78.5 per cent enhance.
Imports from america grew from roughly AED61bn ($16.6bn) in 2018 to AED82.2bn ($22.4bn) in 2024, up 34.7 per cent over the identical interval.
He famous that the emirate attracted 1,474 overseas direct funding initiatives from america price AED79.6bn ($21.7bn) between 2015 and 2024.
American funding has been strongest in:
- Tourism and hospitality: AED28.3bn/$7.7bn
- Software program and IT providers: AED20.2bn/$5.5bn
- Enterprise providers: AED5.7bn/$1.6bn
- Leisure: AED4.8bn/$1.3bn
- Telecommunications: AED3.6bn/$980m
US firms in Dubai free zones
Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi, Assistant Government Chairman of Investments and Partnerships on the Dubai Built-in Financial Zones Authority (DIEZ), mentioned greater than 112 US firms now function throughout DIEZ zones, together with Dubai Airport Free Zone, Silicon Oasis and Dubai CommerCity.
They symbolize round 3.4 per cent of all firms in DIEZ.
These companies span sectors together with aviation, logistics, specialised consulting, know-how, and future industries, with main names comparable to:
- BOEING
- FEDEX
- ABBOTT
- DHL
- Coca Cola
Al Matrooshi emphasised that DIEZ continues to reinforce its providers, launch new incentives, and keep integration throughout its zones to help enterprise development and strengthen Dubai’s competitiveness.
He famous that financial and free zones contributed round 67 per cent of the emirate’s whole overseas direct funding — equal to AED298bn ($81bn) in 2023 — based on Dubai Knowledge and Statistics Institution estimates.
