DMCC celebrates robust growth in British business presence
The Dubai multi-commodity centre has welcomed 2,258 registered British companies, representing a significant 7.7% increase over the past year, underpinned by strengthening UK-UAE trade relations and new opportunities in finance and wealth management.
DMCC has recorded a noteworthy expansion in its British business community, with the number of registered United Kingdom companies reaching 2,258 following a 7.7 percent increase over the past twelve months. The achievement was announced as the centre concluded its latest “Made For Trade Live” roadshow in London, reaffirming the capital’s importance to DMCC’s international engagement strategy.
British enterprises now represent approximately 8.5 percent of DMCC’s broader business community, which encompasses more than 26,000 companies operating across diverse sectors. The registered British firms demonstrate particular strength in professional services, technology, finance, wealth management, media, commodities, shipping and logistics, reflecting the sophisticated nature of UK commercial interests in the emirate.
The expansion reflects encouraging broader economic trends between the two nations. UK-UAE bilateral trade in goods and services surpassed £25 billion in 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.7 percent. This growth trajectory has been further bolstered by the conclusion of negotiations between the United Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council on a free trade agreement in May, positioning the UK as the first G7 nation to secure such an arrangement with the GCC.
According to UK Government projections, the agreement is anticipated to contribute an additional £3.7 billion annually to UK gross domestic product in the long term, based on 2040 forecasts following the agreement’s implementation.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, emphasised the enduring significance of the British market to the centre’s operations. He highlighted the substantial representation of British companies within professional services, technology, energy and finance sectors, whilst underscoring DMCC’s commitment to strengthening its platform for British enterprises seeking international expansion through Dubai.
The centre continues to enhance its connectivity infrastructure, facilitating access for British businesses to a network encompassing almost 27,000 companies alongside essential capital, customer networks and critical global trade corridors. This positioning enables firms to leverage Dubai as a strategic hub for diversified international market penetration.
DMCC is simultaneously strengthening its financial services proposition through innovations including DMCC FinX and the DMCC Wealth Hub, alongside newly introduced regulatory frameworks designed to support families, entrepreneurs and investors in capital structuring and management operations based in Dubai. Such developments are anticipated to deepen investment flows and facilitate the integration of London’s renowned financial and professional expertise into Dubai’s expanding business ecosystem.
Within DMCC’s British business contingent, professional services companies comprise over 520 establishments, whilst technology companies exceed 200. The energy sector similarly accounts for more than 200 British-registered enterprises. Across DMCC’s broader operations, the technology community now represents more than 4,000 companies engaged in specialised domains including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cryptocurrency and gaming.
Source: WAM