Dubai Business Forum

Registration & Networking

Welcome by Master of Ceremony

Driving Results through Dubai, a Strategic Business Gateway

In this session, we consider recent experiences of UK companies in Dubai examining how they have leveraged Dubai’s strategic attributes as a gateway to access emerging markets in the Middle East and further afield. We will also examine how UK businesses capitalise on Dubai’s growth trajectory, as well as specific initiatives on offer to facilitate expansion.
These include a multitude of pro-business programmes, state-of-the art infrastructure, as well as how to utilise strategic partnerships as an important accelerator of business expansion.

Healthy People, Healthy Economies: A Shared Ambition

Both the UK and Dubai prioritize high-quality healthcare and dynamic life sciences industries, with shared focuses on precision medicine, technology-driven healthcare, and leadership in R&D. Increased collaboration in these areas will drive sector growth.
Dubai’s healthcare market is projected to reach $6.6 billion by 2025, fueled by population growth, medical tourism, and technological advancements. With over 20 free zones, including the region’s largest integrated healthcare free zone, Dubai actively fosters investment and collaboration in healthcare and life sciences, encouraging partnerships and innovation. In this session, hear how these initiatives position the Emirate as an attractive destination for UK companies looking to expand and grow.

Cultivating Collaboration in Burgeoning Green Tech

The UK and Dubai’s green technology priorities provide complementary investment prospects. Collaboration in smart city development can drive global sustainable urban growth by integrating the UK’s expertise in intelligent building systems with Dubai’s pioneering renewable energy initiatives. Dubai’s goal to reduce carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 is supported by the Green Fund offering $27.2 billion for green projects, and accelerator programmes further support green tech startups, offering great opportunities to growing companies looking to set up in the Emirate. By sharing expertise and resources, both markets can solidify their global leadership in green technology while fostering economic growth. In this session we explore the areas ripe for joint R&D, experimentation and commercialisation, and not least we hear about the importance of enabling green tech businesses by offering them a home where urban renewal is the focus.

Opportunities in an Innovative, Robust and Sophisticated Financial Sector

Dubai is home to around 900 FinTech companies, which represents a 30%+ increase from the previous year. Additionally, investments in fintech in Dubai have soared to $2.3 billion and are projected to reach $949 billion by 2030, making it one of the premier fintech hubs globally. Dubai offers a supportive regulatory framework, favorable tax policies, and a drive for innovation to attract foreign direct investment in financial services. With access to cutting-edge technologies, Dubai’s thriving financial market presents an ideal environment for global financial institutions to expand and grow. How can UK financial institutions capitalize on Dubai’s expanding and diversifying financial sector to drive growth and success?

AI and Advanced Tech: From Idea to Impact

Join experts from both the UK and Dubai in this discussion about the latest advancements, opportunities, and challenges in AI and advanced digital technologies. With Dubai targeting a 40% contribution to GDP from AI by 2031, both markets can benefit from exploring synergies, talent strategies, R&D initiatives, commercial opportunities, ethical considerations, and future trends. Discover Dubai’s leading AI initiatives, such as the AI Lab and specialized business toolkits, to understand how businesses can capitalize on these resources and drive growth through collaboration and knowledge sharing. Hear from key players in the AI arena and unlock the potential of AI to create new business opportunities and drive economic prosperity.

Inside Dubai: A UK Business Perspective

In this high-level conversation our distinguished speaker will share their own experience as a UK company doing business in Dubai. From reasons behind setting up in the Emirate to the practical ins and outs, help at hand, triumphs and any stumbling blocks. Hear how the ecosystem and initiatives are evolving and how UK business leaders can take advantage of all Dubai has to offer entrepreneurs and innovators. There’s nothing like a first-hand account to demonstrate the true value of business collaboration between our two markets.

Thriving in Dubai: Lifestyle & Retail Reimagined for Tourists and Residents

This interactive session will delve into the dynamic lifestyle and retail sectors in Dubai and how they enhance Dubai’s tourism offer, with a focus on the speakers’ experiences, emerging trends, innovative concepts, and untapped opportunities for UK investors. Key topics for exploration include the rise of experiential hospitality and retail, the variety of lifestyle and wellness trends gaining traction in the Emirate as well as with visitors. Lifestyle and its sub-sectors are one of the biggest contributors to Dubai’s GDP, and it offers UK businesses the chance to capitalise on the consistently growing appetite for unique, novel and quality experiences for residents and tourists alike. Additionally, the discussion will cover the importance of incorporating sustainability and social responsibility to meet changing consumer expectations ethical practices. The role of digital transformation in enhancing customer experiences and driving growth in Dubai’s lifestyle and retail sectors will also be addressed, along with potential collaborations and partnerships.

Real Estate: Opportunities for Developers, Investors & Construction Companies

Construction and building activities account for over 10% of the UAE’s total GDP, a figure set to grow following the recent launch of the Real Estate Strategy 2033. With the objective of increasing real estate transactions by 70% and multiplying the value of real estate portfolios by 20 times to AED20bn ($5.4bn), the Real Estate Strategy 2033 aims to contribute AED73bn ($20bn) to the emirate’s GDP. This presents a wealth of opportunities for UK construction and engineering industries seeking to deepen their engagement, as well as new entrants looking to leverage their deep expertise also in green construction and healthy, future-proofed cities, an area of focus and growth in Dubai.

Enabling Growth: Dubai Chambers Global Markets

Learn about Dubai Chambers’ strategic initiative launched to support its members in expanding their business into international markets. The Global Markets team facilitates business matchmaking and partnerships, helping companies build relationships with key stakeholders, exponentially unlocking growth potential.

Enabling Growth: TECOM Group

This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of TECOM Group and its role in Dubai’s economy. We will explore why Dubai is an attractive business destination for UK companies, highlighting successful examples of UK enterprises within the TECOM Group ecosystem.

Enabling Growth: DIEZ (Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority)

Discover Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority and its component free zones and find out how this unified platform serves businesses looking to set up operations in Dubai and thrive in the region. Hear directly from leaders of:

• Dubai Silicon Oasis
• Dubai Airport Free Zone
• Dubai Commercity

Enabling Growth: Dubai Expo City

The transformed site of Expo 2020 Dubai has been repurposed into a vibrant, sustainable, and future-oriented community, home to innovative companies envisioning and bringing the future to life. Join leaders to explore how this free zone can catapult your company’s growth in a cultivating environment.