UAE and Burundi Forge Deeper Commercial Ties with New Business Council

The Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry has established a dedicated business council to strengthen trade relations and economic cooperation between the two nations, bringing the chamber network to 80 active councils.

A memorandum of understanding signed at the headquarters of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry marks the formal establishment of the UAE–Burundi Business Council, a structural bridge designed to facilitate commerce and partnership between the two nations’ private sectors.

The signing ceremony brought together senior figures including Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Vice Chairman of the Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of SCCI, Fahad Al Gergawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, and Olivier Suguru, President of the Federal Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Burundi.

The creation of this council represents the eightieth such body operating under the Federation’s umbrella, reflecting the expanding reach of UAE commercial networks across the globe. Each council functions as a dedicated channel through which the private sectors of two nations can explore opportunities, exchange expertise and build lasting business relationships.

Al Owais described the council’s establishment as an important milestone in bilateral relations, expressing confidence that it would deepen economic ties and create new pathways for cooperation. He emphasised the critical role that business councils play in supporting the UAE’s private sector, noting how they leverage collective capabilities and expertise to strengthen competitiveness internationally.

The Federation works in concert with chambers of commerce to ensure councils receive comprehensive support, facilitating their participation in chamber-organised events and arranging business meetings that expand commercial networks. This reflects a broader commitment to creating a dynamic, business-friendly environment across the UAE, as demonstrated through initiatives such as Chamber AI Hub, which offers specialised artificial intelligence agents to streamline business operations.

The Federation also serves as a conduit between business council members and relevant authorities, conveying recommendations and proposals that shape policy and practice. Through this role, it connects the UAE’s private sector with commercial communities worldwide, fostering trade relations that extend far beyond the emirates’ borders.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The expansion of UAE Chambers’ business council network to eighty bodies underscores the federation’s commitment to broadening the commercial footprint of Emirati enterprises. Abu Dhabi’s private sector gains enhanced access to African markets through this formal channel, particularly in nations like Burundi where direct commercial bridges have been limited. The council creates structured opportunities for businesses based in the emirate to explore partnerships, establish supply chains and explore new revenue streams in East African markets.

Beyond immediate commercial benefits, the establishment of the UAE–Burundi Business Council reinforces the UAE’s role as a global facilitator of trade and economic cooperation. For Abu Dhabi specifically, this reflects the emirate’s broader strategy of deepening international business relationships that complement its existing strengths in finance, commerce and enterprise support.