Dubai Free Zone DMCC has recorded more than 16 percent in Chinese businesses joining its community in the past 12 months, bringing the number of companies to more than 1,000.
DMCC announced a milestone during its recent “made to trade live” (MFTL) Roadshow in China, which was sparked by events in China, the country’s fastest-growing centers of technology and advanced manufacturing.
Double-digit growth for five years
The DMCC highlighted its growing role as the regional Revrationpad for China’s annual new businesses, achieving double-digit growth in Chinese organizations for five consecutive years – including 20 percent in 2023, and 17 percent in 2024.
Firms focused on technology focused on artificial intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Web3, and digital infrastructure drove a 16 percent increase.
DMCC now hosts more than 130 technology companies from a broad community of more than 3,400 firms, providing a purpose-built platform for Dubai’s global expansion.
China is the UAE’s largest trading partner
Ahmed Bin Sulayhem, Chairman and CEO of DMCC, said the growth reflects deepening economic cooperation between the UAE and China.
He said: “China is now the UAE’s largest trading partner, with combined trade exceeding $102bn last year, and that figure is set to double by 2030.
“This growth is supported by deep cooperation across trade, investment, and innovation – especially in AI and other virtual technologies, where China has seen rapid growth in recent years.
“We’ve seen this momentum firsthand with double-digit annual growth in Chinese companies joining the DMCC for five straight years, including more than 16 percent in the past 12 months.
“Today, DMCC is home to more than 1,000 Chinese companies – more than 135 of them in technology – as we continue to deepen our value proposition as the region of choice for Chinese firms wishing to expand globally.”
The new China-UAE
During the road, more than 750 Chinese business leaders have participated in sessions, Blockchain, and virtual spaces – areas of increasing strategic coordination between the UAE and China.
This event comes as BIlateral relations expand beyond trade cooperation, innovation, and global market integration. DMCC’s role has been pivotal in this transformation, accounting for 15 percent of Dubai’s Direct Investment Proepment Investic (FDI) Inflow and contributing about 7 percent of the Emirate’s GDP.
China’s Global Global World
As both countries strengthen cooperation with BRICS+ and deepen their focus on the digital economy, DMCC positions itself to drive the next wave of Chinese expansion.
The region continues to attract China’s most powerful technology, manufacturing, and services companies, Dubai’s position as a gateway for trade, investment, and innovation between East and West.
