On January 8, Dubai Chambers held a media briefing in Shenzhen, announcing that the fifth Dubai Business Forum will take place in the city on May 14, 2026. The event is positioned to introduce China’s business community to investment and partnership opportunities linked to Dubai’s D33 economic agenda, while opening new channels for bilateral cooperation.
Launched in January 2023, the D33 agenda aims to double Dubai’s GDP by 2033 through higher industrial value creation, faster export growth, and a more diversified and sustainable economic structure.
Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, president and CEO of Dubai Chambers, said at the briefing that returning the forum to Shenzhen reflects Dubai’s long-term commitment to strengthening economic ties with China.
The Shenzhen edition of the Dubai Business Forum will be invite-only, curated for senior business leaders from China and Dubai. It is expected to bring together executives from multinational companies, unicorns, high-growth technology firms, venture capital institutions, and family businesses. A senior Dubai delegation will also attend, comprising representatives from leading companies, family offices, free trade zones, and government entities. Centered on sectors driving growth in both markets, the forum is designed to facilitate in-depth, face-to-face engagement aimed at advancing concrete cooperation.
China-Dubai economic ties deepen
The Dubai Business Forum first entered China in 2024 with a Beijing edition that drew more than 800 business leaders and investors, and facilitated discussions around investment and trade in areas including the digital economy and artificial intelligence.
The 2026 Shenzhen forum builds on that momentum, following earlier editions held in Beijing, London, Hamburg, and New York. It also aligns with Dubai Chambers’ broader strategy of deepening economic ties with major global markets, promoting cross-border trade, and identifying new investment opportunities.
Shenzhen, a key city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, closely aligns with the priorities outlined in the D33 agenda. Key focus sectors such as technology, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and e-commerce are areas where Shenzhen holds established competitive strengths.
As one of China’s leading innovation hubs, Shenzhen has developed a dense industrial ecosystem spanning AI, smart hardware, and software and information services. Through the Dubai Business Forum platform, companies from the city are expected to explore entry into the Dubai market and use it as a base for broader international expansion.
China is already Dubai’s largest trading partner. As of the third quarter of 2025, more than 6,190 active Chinese member companies were registered with Dubai Chambers, ranging from multinational corporations to small and medium enterprises. Beyond expanding Dubai’s global business network, the forum has increasingly functioned as a platform for translating China-Dubai investment and trade discussions into execution.
High-level dialogue, shared growth
The Shenzhen forum is designed to support Chinese companies seeking new global expansion pathways, with Dubai positioned as a strategic hub. Many Chinese firms are already active in Dubai across sectors including manufacturing, financial services, logistics, and robotics automation.
For companies expanding overseas, Dubai has evolved beyond a regional gateway into a global operations center. By establishing regional headquarters or operational hubs in the city, firms can access markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Even in sectors where Dubai lacks a natural domestic advantage, such as agritech, companies can leverage its logistics, capital, and connectivity to deploy solutions into higher-demand markets, particularly in Africa. The upcoming forum aims to support this transition from overseas expansion to full globalization.
The forum will also provide direct access to decision-makers through high-level, in-person dialogue. Senior Dubai government officials, investors, and business leaders will participate in targeted matchmaking sessions with Chinese companies, with a focus on aligning expectations and accelerating implementation.
36Kr Global was an official partner of the first Dubai Business Forum held in Beijing and will reprise its role for the Shenzhen edition, supporting Chinese participation and facilitating engagement with delegates from Dubai.
Companies interested in attending the 2026 Dubai Business Forum in Shenzhen may express their interest using this form. Applications will be reviewed by Dubai Chambers, with approved participants contacted directly regarding next steps.