Chen Siqi

vankochensq@163.com

A ROADSHOW showcasing Dubai’s business environment and aiming to attract Chinese firms seeking opportunities to expand into the Dubai market was held at the Media Finance Center in Futian District yesterday.

The event, organized by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), is one of five roadshows in China throughout the year. Following roadshows in Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chongqing, and Shenzhen, the next destination on the itinerary is Hong Kong.

DMCC, headquartered in Dubai, is an interconnected Free Zone and a major hub for global commodities trading. According to Ahmed Bin Sulayem, executive chairman and CEO of DMCC, the government authority, established in 2002, currently boasts over 23,000 enterprises including more than 800 China-headquartered enterprises.

As Dubai transitions from a city reliant on petroleum to a thriving tech and knowledge-oriented hub, it has prioritized the development of a digital economy that includes digital government systems, artificial intelligence, and advanced transportation technologies like autonomous driving and drones. Such strategic shifts have positioned Dubai as an attractive destination for tech companies.

Autel Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd., a Shenzhen company specializing in intelligent car diagnosis, automotive parts production, and research and development, was founded in 2004 and opened a Dubai branch in 2019.

Zuo Kemin, general manager of Autel’s Dubai subsidiary, highlighted Dubai’s strategic location as the reason behind their choice. “Dubai is a bridge connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa,” Zuo said. Establishing a subsidiary in Dubai allowed Autel to expand their market coverage to South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, which resulted in an 80% increase in coverage and doubled sales.

Zuo added that AUTEL also chose DMCC for the convenient infrastructure and zero taxation policy.

“Our goal is to assist companies in setting up in DMCC and accessing markets in the Middle East and globally,” emphasized Claire Guo, DMCC’s Far East regional representative.

Statistics indicate that 80% of Dubai’s population consists of expatriates. “People and businesses from the East, Middle East, Africa, and the West coexist and conduct business in Dubai,” added Sulayem. He also highlighted the UAE’s upcoming inclusion in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) by the beginning of next year, which will open up opportunities for partnerships with BRICS members.