Dubai Chambers will stage the fifth international iteration of the Dubai Business Forum – China in Shenzhen on May 14, 2026, aiming to substantially boost Chinese investment and strategic partnerships essential for achieving Dubai’s ambitious Economic Agenda (D33). This international gathering, positioned within China’s technologically vibrant Greater Bay Area, is specifically designed to highlight commercial opportunities arising from the D33 framework and establish Dubai as the premier gateway for Chinese enterprises seeking to expand operations across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
Strategic Focus on Digital and Economic Growth
The decision to host the forum in Shenzhen, a global epicenter for technological innovation, underscores the emphasis on future industries, particularly the digital economy. This strategic placement seeks to foster collaborations that align with Dubai’s long-term economic objectives. According to Dubai Chambers, the event serves as a platform to showcase Dubai’s conducive environment for international business and reinforce its standing as a favored destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
The President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, emphasized the significance of returning to China, stating it reaffirms the organization’s dedication to strengthening bilateral economic ties and creating “tangible pathways for growth in the digital economy.” Lootah anticipates the forum will act as a major catalyst for new joint ventures and crucial collaborations necessary to realize the D33 agenda’s goals.
Key objectives of the 2026 forum include:
- Positioning Dubai as a launchpad for Chinese expansion into new regional markets.
- Generating vital investment to support Dubai’s Economic Agenda (D33).
- Facilitating knowledge exchange in key sectors like innovation, trade, and the digital economy.
Leveraging Strong Bilateral Commerce
The forum arrives amid rapidly accelerating trade and investment between the two regions. Data from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce indicates a robust and growing presence of Chinese businesses in the emirate, evidenced by over 6,190 active Chinese members registered with the Chamber by the conclusion of the third quarter of 2025. This significant commercial footprint highlights the existing strong foundation for further collaboration.
The event structure is meticulously planned to facilitate concrete business outcomes. Attendees will participate in curated business-matching meetings tailored to specific sector interests, focused sector roundtables, and high-level policy dialogues. These sessions are intended to cultivate enduring, long-term commercial partnerships rather than merely transactional exchanges.
This upcoming forum follows a highly successful predecessor: the previous Dubai Business Forum – China, held in Beijing in August 2024, which attracted more than 800 influential business leaders and investors, demonstrating the substantial mutual interest in deepening economic integration.
The ongoing efforts by Dubai Chambers to expand its global network through events like the Shenzhen forum are central to reinforcing Dubai’s appeal to international investors. By strategically targeting hubs like the Greater Bay Area, Dubai aims to solidify its status as a vital global commercial nexus. The outcome of the 2026 forum is expected to directly shape the flow of technology and capital into the UAE, further driving the goals set out in the D33 agenda.