A delegation led by Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, visited Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (hereinafter referred to as "SFIEC") on January 5, 2026. Representatives from several trustee companies of SFIEC, including SF Holding Co., Ltd., Transsion, BGI Group, Unilumin Group Co., Ltd., Hytera Communications Corporation Limited, Fangda Group Co., Ltd., and Oceanpayment, participated in the meeting. Both sides engaged in in-depth and pragmatic discussions on further deepening cooperation between Shenzhen and Dubai in areas such as economic and trade exchanges, enterprise collaboration, and international resource matching.

Ms. Li Dan, Secretary-General of SFIEC, stated that as one of China's first non-public welfare foundations focusing on international exchange and cooperation, SFIEC has closely aligned with Shenzhen's internationalization goals. It has developed a series of distinctive brand projects, leveraging non-governmental efforts to promote cross-border exchanges and pragmatic cooperation. Ms. Li emphasized that Dubai serves as a crucial hub connecting the Middle East, Africa, and global markets, exhibiting high synergy with Shenzhen in open economy and international cooperation. She expressed anticipation that this exchange would serve as an opportunity for SFIEC to leverage its platform advantages, connect high-quality resources between Shenzhen and Dubai, and establish efficient and stable docking channels for enterprises. This initiative aims to increase the impact of Dubai Chambers' activities in South China and help Shenzhen businesses enter the Middle Eastern market and connect with global industry and value chains, which will boost economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between the two areas.

Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, highlighted the long-standing economic and trade ties between China and the UAE. He noted that China has become a vital trading partner for Dubai, with bilateral trade volume consistently growing in recent years, yielding fruitful cooperation in energy, technology, and logistics. The purpose of this visit was to further strengthen communication and collaboration with Shenzhen partners, build a pragmatic cooperation platform through multi-field exchanges, and help Chinese enterprises better understand the business environment in Dubai and the Middle East. This will facilitate their expansion in Dubai and surrounding regions while also promoting resource matching and institutionalized cooperation in economic, investment, and industrial sectors. Regarding the upcoming Dubai Business Forum in Shenzhen, Dubai Chambers hopes to use this visit as an opportunity to enhance communication and liaison in South China, deepen ties with local governments, business associations, and enterprises, and continuously raise Dubai's recognition and attractiveness as an international business hub. This effort aims to create more cooperation opportunities for enterprises from both regions to "go global" and "attract investment".

Representatives from the participating member companies shared their insights based on their respective industries and internationalization practices. They engaged in in-depth discussions on policy environments, market opportunities, compliance risks, and cross-cultural management challenges faced by enterprises in their "going global" endeavors. In the future, SFIEC will continue to solidify the foundation for non-governmental exchanges and pragmatic cooperation, promoting the steady and long-term development of China-UAE economic and trade cooperation, and contributing positively to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Dubai Chambers is the engine of Dubai’s economic development and business growth. As the umbrella organisation of Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Dubai International Chamber, and Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, Dubai Chambers empowers the local business community, builds and reinforces international partnerships, and accelerates the growth of the digital economy to cement the emirate’s position as a leading global hub for business, trade, and investments.

The Dubai Business Forum – China 2026 is scheduled to take place in Shenzhen this May, spotlighting new investment opportunities aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). This edition of the forum aims to forge new pathways for cooperation and strategic investment between China and Dubai. It will showcase Dubai’s robust economic foundations and competitive advantages as a strategic hub for Chinese enterprises seeking to access high-growth markets across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Hosting the forum in Shenzhen further leverages the city’s unique position as a core engine of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area and a global powerhouse for technological innovation.