Dubai-India Business Forum 2025 Concludes in Mumbai, Marks Three Years of CEPA

by  EVENTFAQS Bureau Business Events | April 18, 2025 | News

Dubai-India Business Forum 2025

Dubai Chambers concluded the Dubai-India Business Forum 2025 in Mumbai on April 8, 2025. The event, executed by Eventify Entertainment, was held during the official visit of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

The event brought together over 200 officials and business leaders, including 39 delegates from Dubai, to explore opportunities for enhancing trade and investment cooperation between the UAE and India. It also marked the third anniversary of the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which was signed on February 18, 2022.

In his address, Ahmad bin Byat, Vice Chairman of Dubai Chambers, highlighted the importance of India as a key trading partner. He noted that non-oil trade between Dubai and India reached AED 142 billion in the first nine months of 2024, showing a 19 percent increase compared to the previous year. He expressed confidence in the continued growth of bilateral trade over the coming years.

Participants discussed the potential for joint ventures, strategic partnerships, and cross-border business expansion. The forum featured a panel discussion focused on economic opportunities in both markets and the role of Dubai as a hub for Indian companies looking to scale internationally. Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, shared that there are currently 72,651 Indian companies registered with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, 4,563 new Indian companies joined, marking a year-on-year increase of 16.2 percent. Indian businesses now represent the largest group of foreign companies operating in Dubai.

The forum was also addressed by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, who welcomed His Highness Sheikh Hamdan on his first official visit to India. Shri Goyal reflected on the longstanding relationship between Dubai and Mumbai, noting that this year marks a century since Sheikh Saeed, the grandfather of Sheikh Hamdan, visited India in 1925. He acknowledged Dubai’s support for the Indian community, including the establishment of the first hospital for Indian workers in the UAE, and thanked the leadership for their continued cooperation.

Shri Goyal also recognised the UAE’s support in building the Swaminarayan Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi and underlined the positive momentum in the bilateral relationship, citing six high-level visits between India and the UAE in the past two years. He stated that the CEPA has contributed significantly to boosting trade and investment and that the goal of achieving $100 billion in non-oil trade is within reach.

In his remarks, the minister also outlined new areas for collaboration, including renewable energy, green hydrogen, fintech, digital infrastructure, education, and advanced manufacturing. He mentioned the recent opening of an IIT campus in Dubai and plans for additional Indian institutions such as IIM and IIFT to follow.

The Dubai-India Business Forum reaffirmed the shared commitment of both nations to deepen their economic partnership and support business growth through mutual cooperation. The forum contributes to Dubai Chambers’ broader efforts to strengthen international trade ties and create new opportunities for companies operating across both regions.