Being global from the start means designing for scale. It demands systems that allow ideas to move as freely as information, requiring a deliberate re-engineering of the business ecosystem. This vision takes shape through adaptive regulation, intelligent digital infrastructure, and integrated trade networks that see the world as a single, connected market.

The cities and institutions that embrace this architectural mindset, building for fluid global exchange rather than incremental expansion, will define the next decade of growth and economic leadership. For Dubai Chambers, under the leadership of President and CEO H.E. Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, this work is both structural and visionary.

He envisions an economy defined by the connection between markets, technologies, and people. By aligning the D33 agenda with digital trade corridors, adaptive regulation, and collaborative networks, Dubai Chambers is laying the foundations for a more agile, borderless economy.

VISION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

To sustain Dubai’s rise as one of the world’s most dynamic business cities, Lootah believes the next decade must be defined by precision in execution. His top priority is ensuring the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, is fully realized. The strategy aims to double the emirate’s economy and position it among the world’s top three business and investment hubs.

“Delivering on these goals requires focused attention in several key areas,” he explains. Among them are advancing the digital economy to contribute over $27 billion annually to Dubai’s GDP, expanding foreign trade by connecting the city to 400 new destinations, and maintaining the best global environment for businesses to innovate and grow.

A strong and resilient financial ecosystem will be instrumental in achieving this vision. Lootah notes that Dubai’s financial sector continues to evolve through digital transformation, improving efficiency and global competitiveness. The city’s ranking among the top four global FinTech hubs in the latest Global Financial Centres Index, and its distinction as the only financial centre in MENA recognised as a “global leader with broad and deep capabilities”, highlights this momentum.

Central to this progress is the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), which has become a powerhouse for innovation and investment. More than 1,500 AI, FinTech, and innovation companies now operate within DIFC and its Innovation Hub, collectively raising over $4.2 billion in investment and cementing its status as the region’s most active ecosystem for growth-stage technology firms.

Balancing the Chamber’s dual mandate of representing business interests while aligning with Dubai’s broader economic vision is, he says, “at the heart of our mission.” D33 serves as the guiding framework, aiming to double the size of Dubai’s economy within a decade and drive sustainable growth through foreign investment, innovation, and global connectivity.

Under this plan, Dubai aims to double average annual FDI inflows to $16.3 billion (approximately AED 60 billion), attracting cumulative inflows of $176 billion (approximately AED 650 billion) between 2023 and 2033. “This investment will drive capital accumulation, job creation, technology adoption, and productivity gains across key sectors,” he says.

Dubai Chambers is pivotal in promoting and facilitating these opportunities through a global network of more than 35 international representative offices. These offices work to attract global investors and help local businesses expand into new markets. “Last year alone, we organised 5,847 meetings with over 10,845 businesspeople,” he notes, connecting Dubai’s private sector with international partners and investors.

Lootah explains that the Chamber’s three-entity structure is central to aligning private sector interests with D33’s priorities. The Dubai Chamber of Commerce supports enterprise growth and strengthens the local business environment. The Dubai International Chamber promotes inward investment and positions the city as a global hub for trade and FDI. The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy drives innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology-led industries.

“Our approach is to remain proactive and responsive by maintaining close engagement with the business community and ensuring the private sector’s voice is heard in shaping policy,” he says. In 2024, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce reviewed 107 draft laws in cooperation with Business Groups, with 58% of their recommendations adopted.

This commitment to forward-looking governance extends beyond traditional sectors. Lootah points to the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), which now oversees the world’s largest licensed virtual assets market with transaction volumes nearing $680 billion (approximately AED 2.5 trillion). “This demonstrates how Dubai continues to pioneer smart, transparent frameworks that encourage innovation while safeguarding investor confidence,” he says.

ATTRACTING INNOVATION AND U.S. PARTNERSHIPS

Dubai Chambers is zeroing in on the digital economy, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, finance, and trade as the main engines of the emirate’s next phase of growth. From smart cities and generative AI to fintech and capital markets, Dubai is positioning itself as a global testbed for innovation and investment.

Among the most dynamic developments within this ecosystem is the rise of the virtual assets sector. Under the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), the emirate has become the world’s largest licensed Virtual Assets market, hosting more than 40 licensed Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) and over 600 registered but unlicensed firms engaged in advisory, technology, and proprietary trading. Today, the sector contributes around 0.5% to Dubai’s GDP, approximately $598 billion (AED 2.2 billion), and is projected to reach about 3%, or $3.5 billion (approximately AED 13 billion), as the ecosystem scales.

To attract American pioneers, Lootah said, “We know that capital alone is not enough.” Dubai, he explained, offers a comprehensive ecosystem where innovators can test, build, and scale globally. The city provides regulatory sandboxes for experimentation, forward-looking legal frameworks for digital assets and AI sectors, and long-term residency options such as the Golden Visa. Just as importantly, it connects entrepreneurs to one of the world’s most diverse pools of investors, partners, and talent. 

“Our goal is not just to host these industries but to help shape global standards,” he added. Reflecting this ambition, the upcoming Dubai Business Forum – USA, to be held in New York in November, will showcase opportunities for American companies, investors, and entrepreneurs while strengthening cross-border partnerships in high-impact sectors.

Lootah described U.S. startups as “integral to our innovation ecosystem” and essential to realizing the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). The U.S. remains Dubai’s leading source of FDI, accounting for 35% of total capital inflows in the first half of 2025, a clear sign of deepening economic ties. Fintech, healthtech, and sustainability ventures stand out as priority areas, supported by strong investor confidence and a robust, innovation-driven framework that helps future-focused businesses thrive.

To nurture these ventures, Dubai offers a highly supportive business environment designed for scalability. In fintech, regulatory sandboxes within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) create smooth entry pathways for startups into the UAE market, projected to exceed $5.7 billion by 2029. 

Sustainability-driven companies benefit from initiatives such as the Green Mobility Strategy and clean energy incentives. At the same time, the growth of the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors presents strong opportunities for U.S. healthtech innovators. Combined with solid IP protection, a flexible regulatory system, and favorable tax policies, these advantages make Dubai, as Lootah put it, “an ideal launchpad for American startups to scale and succeed.”

While many investors are initially attracted by Dubai’s commercial potential, he noted, they stay because of the ecosystem itself. The city’s connectivity to high-growth markets across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia gives businesses unmatched reach, while its magnetism for global talent fuels innovation. Home to over 200 nationalities and supported by world-class infrastructure and a high standard of living, Dubai allows entrepreneurs to build diverse, high-performing teams in a safe, future-oriented environment.

A LAUNCHPAD FOR GLOBAL GROWTH 

Dubai’s strategic location as a bridge between East and West has made it a global launchpad for businesses looking to scale internationally. The city’s infrastructure provides unmatched physical connectivity to high-growth regions across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA), giving startups the reach they need to expand beyond local markets.

Dubai International Airport (DXB), ranked as the world’s busiest for international passenger traffic for ten consecutive years, underscores the city’s pivotal role in global connectivity. The planned expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport, which will handle up to 260 million passengers annually, will further enhance this reach. Supporting this air network is DP World’s global portfolio of ports, which firmly establishes Dubai as a key logistics hub and allows startups to plug seamlessly into international supply chains and customer bases.

Beyond its infrastructure, Dubai is building a powerful trade architecture to accelerate international growth. The Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) includes an ambitious target to add 400 new cities to Dubai’s trade map, backed by the UAE’s expanding network of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs). These agreements lower tariffs and simplify market access for companies operating from Dubai. With the UAE’s merchandise exports surpassing $600 billion in 2024, representing over 41% of the Middle East’s total, Dubai startups benefit from a proven, resilient platform for global trade that supports their cross-border expansion.

“Dubai International Chamber’s global network plays a central role in enabling this growth,” he said. With more than 35 international representative offices, the Chamber provides Dubai-based companies with direct access to new business opportunities. It also facilitates global expansion through trade missions that connect Dubai enterprises with potential partners and stakeholders abroad. “We have organised 15 trade missions over the last three years, resulting in more than 3,000 B2B meetings,” he added.

MOVING TOWARDS 2033 

Dubai Chambers is laying the foundation for a decade of transformation driven by artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and a future-ready regulatory framework. 

“We are committed to ensuring that every aspect of Dubai’s business ecosystem benefits from emerging technologies that enhance efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness,” says Lootah. The organisation is actively helping the private sector transition to data-driven operations and automate core services, strengthening Dubai’s position as a smart, connected economy. 

However, technology is only part of the equation. Equally vital is the regulatory environment that enables its adoption. Lootah explains that Dubai Chambers is working with public and private stakeholders to update and recommend policies that match the pace of technological change. “By collaborating with stakeholders, we aim to shape a legislative framework that fosters innovation, safeguards competitiveness, and ensures Dubai remains at the forefront of global economic transformation towards 2033.”

As Dubai prepares for this next chapter, its ambition extends beyond being a business hub. It aims to be the world’s leading launchpad for “born global” startups, which scale internationally from day one. The emirate’s strategic location, open markets, and investor-friendly regulations have attracted founders and venture capital across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, solidifying MENA’s top destination for innovation-driven entrepreneurship.

Accelerating this vision is the Dubai Founders HQ (DFHQ), a flagship initiative launched under the D33 agenda. Designed as a “phygital” hub that integrates both physical and digital collaboration, DFHQ brings together founders, investors, corporates, and ecosystem enablers in one connected platform. “DFHQ redefines how startups and SMEs grow in Dubai,” says Lootah. Backed by more than 25 public and private sector partners, it offers access to accelerator programs, mentorship, investor networks, and venture-building tools that help founders launch and scale globally.

DFHQ is directly aligned with D33’s target of nurturing 30 unicorns and 400 high-growth SMEs by 2033, a milestone that underscores Dubai’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and driving sustainable, innovation-led growth. Lootah says the initiative embodies Dubai’s long-term ambition “to be the best city in the world for founders,” a place where ideas evolve into global enterprises.

Through DFHQ and its broader digital transformation strategy, Dubai Chambers is laying the groundwork for a new generation of entrepreneurs who will shape the emirate’s economic future and reinforce its status as a global capital for innovation, trade, and opportunity.