4 days ago
Dubai looks to boost economic ties to Thailand as trade soars to $6.5bn
Thai investments in Dubai have reached approximately $626m over the past five years, according to Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers.
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.
Lootah said the new office is part of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce's 'New Horizons' trade mission to Southeast Asia.
Dubai-Thailand investments
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. He said: 'Through this on-ground presence, we aim to deepen ties with the private sector and strengthen collaboration between the two sides'.
He also noted a significant increase in non-oil trade between Dubai and Thailand in recent years, which grew by 23 per cent to $6.5bn in 2024, up from approximately $5.3bn 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 the emirate's economic vision and support the sustainability and growth of its key sectors.