Dubai International Chamber, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, has successfully organized 200 bilateral business meetings between companies from Dubai and Indonesia during the first leg of the chamber’s week-long trade mission to Southeast Asia, which includes visits to Indonesia and Vietnam.

The trade mission, organized as part of the ‘New Horizons’ initiative spearheaded by Dubai International Chamber, aims to drive the international expansion of Dubai-based businesses and capture opportunities in promising global markets. The delegation participating in the trade mission featured representatives from 17 companies from Dubai operating across a diverse range of sectors, including food and beverages, construction, healthcare, information technology, environmental solutions, human resource management, and perfumes and cosmetics.

According to Dubai Customs data, non-oil bilateral trade between Dubai and Indonesia reached a value of AED 12.9 billion during 2023, representing a year-over-year growth of 7.7%. Dubai's non-oil trade with Indonesia has achieved growth of 53.6% over the past decade, reflecting the strength of bilateral trade relations between the two markets. The number of Indonesian companies registered as members of Dubai Chamber of Commerce stood at 99 as of the end of 2023.

The first day of the mission featured a special business forum in Jakarta titled ‘Doing Business with Indonesia,’ attended by 472 VIP officials, business leaders, and Indonesian companies interested in exploring partnership opportunities with the business community in Dubai. During his opening remarks at the forum, His Excellency Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, emphasized the commitment to strengthening trade and investment relations between the business communities in Dubai and Indonesia.

Shaima Salem Alhebsi, Acting Chargé d'Affaires at the UAE Embassy in Jakarta, affirmed the UAE's commitment to exploring potential growth and investment in key sectors to drive sustainable development and prosperity for the people of the UAE and Indonesia. She highlighted the discussions held during the business forum as contributing positively to the enhancement of bilateral investment cooperation between the two countries.

During the event, Salem Al Shamsi, Vice President of Global Markets at Dubai Chambers, delivered an informative presentation on Dubai’s economic landscape and outlined the numerous competitive advantages the emirate offers for Indonesian companies. The event also featured a panel discussion covering the intricacies of doing business in Indonesia, with speakers sharing their experiences in the local business environment.

Following the forum, a series of bilateral business meetings between representatives of companies from Dubai and Indonesia took place. The second day of the mission continued with additional bilateral business meetings, along with site visits to several Indonesian companies.

Dubai International Chamber has identified a range of sectors offering export opportunities to Indonesia for Dubai-based companies, including aluminium; metals and precious stones; and copper and copper articles. Commodities with high-potential import opportunities from Indonesia to Dubai include wooden panels and sheets, palm oil, clothing, and cocoa butter. The most promising areas for investment in Indonesia include the automotive industry, the construction sector, and agriculture, particularly in the export of tropical fruits.