
Thai investments in Dubai reach $626 million over five years
Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, announced that direct Thai investments in the Emirate of Dubai have reached approximately $626 million over the past five years.
He expressed optimism that these figures will continue to grow, supported by ongoing efforts to strengthen economic relations between Dubai and Thailand, including the recent opening of a new Dubai International Chamber representative office in the Thai capital, Bangkok.
In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) during the 'Doing Business with Thailand' forum held on the 29th May, part of Dubai Chambers' trade mission to the Philippines and Thailand, Lootah stated that the new office is part of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce's 'New Horizons' trade mission to Southeast Asia.
He described it as a strategic move to enhance the UAE business community's presence in the Thai market and to expand trade and investment opportunities with this dynamic economy.
Lootah said that Thailand is among Dubai's leading trading partners in the ASEAN region. 'Through this on-ground presence, we aim to deepen ties with the private sector and strengthen collaboration between the two sides,' he said.
He also noted a significant increase in non-oil trade between Dubai and Thailand in recent years, which grew by 23% to $6.5 billion in 2024, up from approximately $5.3 billion in 2023. This reflects the growing momentum in bilateral economic ties and underlines the strategic importance of the Thai market within Dubai Chambers' global expansion plans.
The Bangkok office launch coincided with the trade mission and included 20 Emirati companies, which were introduced to Thailand's investment environment and market opportunities, with the aim of boosting commercial ties and supporting the international expansion plans of UAE businesses.
Lootah emphasised that the Bangkok office is the latest addition to Dubai Chambers' expanding network of international offices, which aligns with the chamber's strategy to open 50 representative offices worldwide by 2030. This effort is intended to support Dubai's goals of broadening its foreign trade and cementing its position as a global hub for commerce and investment.
He also reaffirmed Dubai Chambers' commitment to enabling local companies to access global markets and forge strategic partnerships that align with Dubai's economic vision and support the sustainability and growth of its key sectors.
WAM
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Web Release
4 hours ago
- Web Release
Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development signs agreement with Inovartic Investment to support startups in UAE gaming sector
Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) has entered into a strategic agreement with the Inovartic Investment to enhance bilateral cooperation and support startups in the gaming sector in the UAE. At the centre of this agreement is a comprehensive framework designed to support early-stage gaming enterprises by offering incubation services, specialised training programs, and financial support. These initiatives will help developers design, build, and successfully bring to market original gaming content. Additionally, the agreement will deliver capacity-building programs to enhance expertise in areas such as game design and storytelling, in line with international best practices. A significant emphasis will also be placed on developing culturally inspired intellectual property that highlights Emirati heritage through authentic narratives, further supplementing the gaming sector with local content. To further accelerate innovation, the collaboration will focus on streamlining the commercialisation of gaming prototypes, enhancing investor pitch strategies, and improving pathways for successful launch of products in the market. Additionally, the agreement will pave the way for joint events and exhibitions that will showcase local talent and groundbreaking projects, increasing their visibility and impact on a larger scale. Mouza Al Nasri, Acting CEO of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, said: 'This partnership represents a significant milestone in our commitment to supporting and empowering Emirati entrepreneurs within the gaming industry. By cultivating an environment that advocates creativity and innovation, we seek to unlock the capabilities of local talent in this dynamic field. Our collaboration with Inovartic Investment reflects our steadfast dedication to strengthening the knowledge economy and promoting sustainable development across diverse sectors, in alignment with the UAE's long-term national vision.' Saif Al Darmaki, Chairman and Co-Founder of Inovartic Investment, stated: 'This agreement marks a transformative chapter in shaping the UAE's future creative economy. By uniting strategic incubators with the rich legacy of Emirati storytelling, we are empowering a new generation of game developers to craft globally resonant intellectual properties — rooted in Abu Dhabi's vision. Our collaboration with Khalifa Fund underscores a shared ambition: to drive innovation, celebrate local heritage, and position Abu Dhabi as the region's premier hub for gaming industry.' Anwar Hussain, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Inovartic Investment, said: 'We are honoured to partner with Khalifa Fund in driving transformative growth within the gaming industry. This collaboration goes beyond nurturing startups — it is about building a dynamic ecosystem where creative talent, cultural heritage, and global vision converge. Together, we are empowering Emirati innovators to redefine the gaming landscape, ensuring their influence extends from the UAE to the world stage.' This partnership underscores the shared dedication of both organisations toward nurturing a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in the gaming sector. It marks a strategic move toward driving innovation and sustainable growth in the sector, while cementing the UAE's role as a centre for digital creativity. By providing financial support, skill development, and startup acceleration, Khalifa Fund and Inovartic Investment jointly aim to build an integrated ecosystem that supports the UAE's broader economic aspirations. Together, they strive to elevate Abu Dhabi's position as a leading regional hub for gaming, aligned with global standards, offering transformative opportunities and innovative solutions to entrepreneurs and creatives alike.


Gulf Today
8 hours ago
- Gulf Today
170 Emirati authors drive cultural dialogue at ADIBF
The UAE's creative industry – centred around the authors – took centre stage at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) 2025, organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) from April 26 April to May 5 under the theme 'Knowledge Illuminates Our Community.' The fair reported wide participation from stakeholders across the UAE's cultural landscape, including publishing houses, authors, writers, thinkers, researchers, and intellectuals. Their active engagement was integral to the fair's diverse programme, designed to reach all segments of society and age groups, in line with the UAE's designation of 2025 as the 'Year of Community.' The ADIBF sought to promote the growth of the local literary industry and reinforce national cultural identity. It honoured a distinguished group of Emirati creatives who have made lasting contributions to the sector's growth over the years, while encouraging emerging Emirati talent from across various cultural fields. These efforts reflect a continued commitment to sustainable cultural development and the advancement of the publishing sector. The 34th edition of the fair witnessed notable local engagement, with over 170 Emirati intellectuals and writers taking part in the programme's sessions and workshops. A total of 275 Emirati exhibitors participated in the event, alongside 70 government entities, each contributing a range of activities. The Arts Corner featured 28 artists, 22 of whom were Emirati, while the World Cuisine Corner hosted 48 sessions, featuring contributions from 24 internationally renowned chefs, including 12 Emiratis. A range of initiatives were launched at the ADIBF 2025 to support Emirati talent, most notably the 'Self-Publisher' initiative, which brought together 20 Emirati writers. The initiative was designed to showcase the work of national authors, facilitate direct engagement with their audiences, and enhance their visibility within the publishing community. The initiative also aimed to foster sustainable partnerships with publishers and expand marketing opportunities for Emirati literary works. Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of the ALC and Director of the ADIBF, said: 'The Abu Dhabi International Book Fair saw extensive local participation from all sectors across the UAE. This played a pivotal role in consolidating the fair's position as a global cultural and knowledge platform, through which the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre introduced a novel vision for spreading knowledge and ensuring access to it for all age groups and segments of the community. To that end, the fair's agenda featured a set of programmes and initiatives aimed at supporting the publishing sector and enriching the UAE's publishing ecosystem with everything necessary for its continued advancement.' 'The fair also provided an opportunity for Emirati publishers to engage with their international counterparts, facilitating the exchange of expertise and dialogue on key issues and emerging trends in the publishing sector,' Al Tunaiji added. 'The fair's rich array of panel discussions, specialised workshops, and high-quality content provided essential knowledge for professionals in the field. It also offered various forms of support to enable Emirati publishers to hone their skills and capacities, contributing to the overall development of the industry.' 'Emirati creatives across a range of cultural and intellectual fields, including publishers, writers, poets, researchers, speakers, trainers, and cultural influencers, also maintained a strong presence at the fair,' he noted. 'The fair's programmes were designed to empower emerging talents in literature, culture, and the arts, offering training sessions and workshops to enhance their skills and creative capabilities. Moreover, a series of youth-focused activities were also introduced to explore and nurture their interests, preparing them to participate actively in the cultural and creative spheres.' 'These efforts reinforced the fair's mission to foster a culturally engaged and creatively empowered generation, aligned with the UAE's strategic vision for sustainable development,' Al Tunaiji concluded.


Dubai Eye
13 hours ago
- Dubai Eye
Kuwait Investment Authority joins AI Infrastructure Partnership
MGX, BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP)- a part of BlackRock- and Microsoft have welcomed the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) to the AI Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), further reinforcing AIP's global reach and strategic impact as it accelerates investment in next-generation AI infrastructure. KIA is the first non-founder financial anchor investor to join AIP. With decades of deep investment experience, KIA is "well positioned to support AIP's growth and help execute its global strategy." Established in September 2024 by BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), MGX, and Microsoft, AIP was created to help mobilise $30 billion in equity capital from investors, asset owners, and corporations, with the potential to reach up to $100 billion when including debt financing. Over the past year, it has become one of the world's leading AI infrastructure platforms with the addition of technology partners NVIDIA, xAI, and Cisco, along with agreements with GE Vernova and NextEra Energy to help accelerate the scaling of energy solutions for AI data centres. Sheikh Saoud Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah, Managing Director of KIA, said: 'KIA's participation in AIP reflects our long-term commitment to investing in transformative global infrastructure that drives innovation and economic progress. We view AI infrastructure as an instrumental driver of future growth, and we are proud to collaborate with leading global partners to accelerate its development at scale.' The partnership announcement coincided with His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court's official visit to Kuwait. It is one of many agreements signed between Emirati and Kuwaiti entities in sectors ranging from technology, diplomacy, justice, defence, education, and social affairs.