The momentum was underscored at the Dubai Business Forum – USA in New York, where senior leaders highlighted record trade flows, rising investment in future sectors, and the expansion of Dubai Chambers’ global footprint with the opening of its first US office.
The developments reflect deepening economic ties at a pivotal moment for both markets.
US investment in Dubai
Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, affirmed during a panel session at the Dubai Business Forum – USA that US direct investment in Dubai reached AED14.3bn ($3.9bn) in the first half of 2025.
This figure is double the total US investment recorded in 2024, signalling Dubai’s growing appeal as a global investment hub for American businesses.
Lootah highlighted Dubai’s role as a gateway for US companies expanding into high-growth global markets, particularly Africa.
Dubai’s non-oil trade with African countries reached AED354.5bn ($96.5bn) in 2024, compared with the United States’ AED264.2bn ($71.9bn) trade with Africa in the same year.
He added that Dubai’s exports and re-exports to global markets hit AED466bn ($126.8bn) during 2018–2024, achieving total growth exceeding 88 per cent and a compound annual growth rate of 11.1 per cent.
Lootah also noted that 145 American investors injected approximately AED3.6bn ($980m) into 158 digital-economy projects between 2020 and 2024, underscoring confidence in Dubai’s innovation environment.
Dubai–US Economic Snapshot 2018–2025
| Metric | Figure | Year / Period |
| US direct investment in Dubai (H1 2025) | AED14.3bn ($3.9bn) | 2025 |
| Total US foreign direct investment into Dubai | AED79.6bn ($21.7bn) | 2015–2024 |
| Dubai non-oil trade with Africa | AED354.5bn ($96.5bn) | 2024 |
| US trade with Africa | AED264.2bn ($71.9bn) | 2024 |
| Dubai–US bilateral non-oil trade | AED116.4bn ($31.7bn) | 2024 |
| Dubai exports to United States | AED19.1bn → AED34.1bn ($5.2bn → $9.3bn) | 2018–2024 |
| Dubai imports from United States | AED61bn → AED82.2bn ($16.6bn → $22.4bn) | 2018–2024 |
| US investment in Dubai’s digital economy | AED3.6bn ($980m) | 2020–2024 |
| New US companies joining Dubai Chamber of Commerce | 787 new firms; 3,690 active total | First nine months of 2025 |
| Share of global newly announced FDI projects located in Dubai | 6.2 per cent | 2024 |
| US companies operating in DIEZ zones | 112+ | 2025 |
| Free zones’ contribution to Dubai’s total FDI | AED298bn ($81bn) | 2023 |
Dubai Chambers opens first US office
Dubai Chambers announced the opening of its first representative office in the United States, located in New York, during the Dubai Business Forum – USA.
The event gathered 700 senior business leaders, investors, and officials, and featured the largest overseas delegation ever led by Dubai Chambers, comprising more than 80 public and private sector leaders.
The new office strengthens the global network of Dubai International Chamber and is designed to expand trade and investment cooperation, support US companies entering Dubai, and assist Dubai-based firms pursuing growth in the United States.
During his opening remarks, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Dubai Chambers, said:
“Dubai and the United States have built robust economic and trade relations founded on decades of productive cooperation and mutual trust.”
He confirmed that the United States ranked fourth among Dubai’s trading partners in 2024, with bilateral non-oil trade reaching AED116.4bn ($31.7bn) last year, marking 10 per cent annual growth.
US investment growth
Al Mansoori added that 787 new US companies joined Dubai Chamber of Commerce in the first nine months of 2025, bringing total active American companies to 3,690 by the end of September.
Dubai attracted AED79.6bn ($21.7bn) in US foreign direct investment between 2015 and 2024, with the United States ranking first globally for total FDI capital flows into Dubai during H1 2025, accounting for 35 per cent of total inflows.
He said the new office and the forum in New York would “unlock new paths for investment and build high-value, sustainable partnerships” aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).
AI, fintech, startups and venture capital
Across 14 panel sessions featuring 32 speakers, forum discussions highlighted Dubai’s growing strength in future-focused sectors including artificial intelligence, fintech, quantum computing, robotics, and digital trade.
Speakers emphasised Dubai’s integrated business ecosystem, availability of talent, supportive regulation, and access to venture capital. Dedicated panels examined sovereign wealth fund activity, emerging technologies in asset management, and Dubai’s expanding role as a global centre for innovation.
EY: Dubai among most attractive investment destinations
Anthony O’Sullivan, Managing Partner of Ernst & Young (EY) in the UAE, affirmed that Dubai is “one of the most attractive cities in the world” for investment and economic opportunities.
He said the UAE remains one of the fastest-growing economies in the region, with growth in 2025 expected to be led by logistics, real estate, and financial services.
Emerging digital-economy areas such as artificial intelligence, data and digital assets are attracting particularly strong interest from international companies.
O’Sullivan noted that 6.2 per cent of newly announced foreign direct investment projects worldwide in 2024 were located in Dubai, underscoring its global stature across sectors including technology, advanced manufacturing, international trade, artificial intelligence and healthcare.
Dubai–US trade
Al Mansoori said Dubai’s exports to the United States rose from AED19.1bn ($5.2bn) in 2018 to AED34.1bn ($9.3bn) in 2024 — a 78.5 per cent increase.
Imports from the United States grew from approximately AED61bn ($16.6bn) in 2018 to AED82.2bn ($22.4bn) in 2024, up 34.7 per cent over the same period.
He noted that the emirate attracted 1,474 foreign direct investment projects from the United States worth AED79.6bn ($21.7bn) between 2015 and 2024.
American investment has been strongest in:
- Tourism and hospitality: AED28.3bn/$7.7bn
- Software and IT services: AED20.2bn/$5.5bn
- Business services: AED5.7bn/$1.6bn
- Entertainment: AED4.8bn/$1.3bn
- Telecommunications: AED3.6bn/$980m
US companies in Dubai free zones
Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi, Assistant Executive Chairman of Investments and Partnerships at the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), said more than 112 US companies now operate across DIEZ zones, including Dubai Airport Free Zone, Silicon Oasis and Dubai CommerCity.
They represent around 3.4 per cent of all companies in DIEZ.
These firms span sectors including aviation, logistics, specialised consulting, technology, and future industries, with major names such as:
- BOEING
- FEDEX
- ABBOTT
- DHL
- Coca Cola
Al Matrooshi emphasised that DIEZ continues to enhance its services, launch new incentives, and maintain integration across its zones to support business growth and strengthen Dubai’s competitiveness.
He noted that economic and free zones contributed around 67 per cent of the emirate’s total foreign direct investment — equivalent to AED298bn ($81bn) in 2023 — according to Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment estimates.
