Paris dialogue spotlights investment opportunities in Dubai for French firms
Dubai showcases investment opportunities in Paris as Dubai Chambers notes a surge in French company membership, rising non-oil trade and investor support.
Dubai Chambers held an open dialogue in Paris to promote investment opportunities in Dubai to a delegation of French investors, underscoring the emirate’s role as a regional business hub. The session brought together senior UAE and Dubai officials with 45 French investors to outline the commercial advantages and support available in the emirate. Organisers positioned the event as part of broader outreach to accelerate French corporate expansion into Dubai’s diverse sectors.
Dubai Chambers opens dialogue in Paris
The Paris meeting was organised by Dubai Chambers in cooperation with the UAE Embassy in France, bringing a focused presentation of Dubai’s commercial environment to potential French partners. UAE Ambassador to France Fahd Saeed Al-Ruqbani and Dubai Chambers Director General Mohammed Ali Rashid Lootah attended the event and addressed attendees. The forum combined a formal briefing with opportunities for one-to-one engagement between the investors and Dubai representatives.
Officials highlight Dubai’s business infrastructure and regulatory appeal
Speakers at the event emphasised Dubai’s developed infrastructure, flexible regulatory frameworks and business-friendly environment as key drivers for inward investment. Mohammed Ali Rashid Lootah described Dubai as a “vital international business centre” that connects major global economies and offers a gateway for regional expansion. Officials reiterated that these strategic advantages are backed by targeted services from Dubai Chambers to simplify market entry and scale operations.
French investor turnout and targeted engagement
Around 45 French investors participated in the dialogue, representing a cross-section of sectors interested in logistics, technology, trade and professional services. The session combined sector briefings with practical advice on licensing, market access and partnership models tailored to French firms. Attendees were given details on incentives, free zone options and the support ecosystem designed to reduce setup friction.
Membership surge: 3,275 French companies registered by Q1 2026
Dubai Chambers reported that 211 new French companies joined the chamber in the first quarter of 2026, bringing the total number of French firms in its membership to 3,275 at the end of Q1. That figure represents a 559 percent increase from 2016, when 497 French companies were recorded as chamber members. Officials presented the membership growth as evidence of sustained investor confidence and deeper commercial ties between Dubai and France.
Trade growth: non-oil commerce reaches AED 40.3 billion
Statistics shared during the event showed that non-oil trade between Dubai and France reached AED 40.3 billion in the most recent year, up from AED 18.4 billion in 2021 and reflecting 120 percent growth over five years. Organisers said the expanding trade balance reflects stronger two-way flows in goods, services and investment, and highlighted opportunities across manufacturing, aviation, and high-value services. Delegates were urged to consider Dubai not only as a market but as a regional export and logistics hub.
Dubai Chambers outlines support measures for French businesses
Dubai Chambers presented a range of support mechanisms designed to help French companies establish and expand operations in the emirate, including advisory services, market-entry facilitation and networking platforms. Officials noted the availability of specialised sector desks, legal and regulatory guidance, and assistance with local partnerships and supply-chain integration. The narrative emphasised speed-to-market and sustainability, with authorities encouraging projects that deliver long-term employment and regional linkages.
The Paris dialogue is part of an ongoing push by Dubai to deepen economic ties with European partners and to attract strategic foreign direct investment. Organisers said follow-up activities will include targeted sector missions and bilateral meetings aimed at converting interest into concrete projects. The outcome of this outreach will be monitored through membership growth, trade volumes and the number of French-led ventures established in Dubai.
