Abu Dhabi Chamber and FICCI forge expanded partnership to strengthen business ties
A landmark cooperation agreement between Abu Dhabi's premier business body and India's oldest chambers federation will establish new institutional frameworks for trade, investment and private-sector collaboration between the emirates and the subcontinent.
The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry have formalised an expanded partnership through a comprehensive cooperation agreement, creating structured pathways for deepened economic engagement between Abu Dhabi and India’s thriving business communities.
The accord was signed during the India–UAE Business Forum held in Mumbai, which brought together 114 companies from both nations to explore collaborative ventures, trade opportunities and investment possibilities. Dr. Ali bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, First Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Chamber, and Dr. Vikramjit Singh Sahney, National Executive Member of FICCI and Member of Parliament, formalised the arrangement as part of the forum’s proceedings.
The partnership arrives at a propitious moment for bilateral economic relations. Trade between the UAE and India reached US$101.25 billion during the financial year 2025–2026, with both countries now targeting US$200 billion in annual trade by 2032. This expansion has been substantially facilitated by the UAE–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and widening opportunities for private-sector cooperation.
Abu Dhabi’s Indian business community has demonstrated remarkable growth, with 21,085 active Indian companies registered with the Chamber as of August 2026. During 2025 alone, 4,642 new Indian enterprises registered, representing a year-on-year increase of 38.8 per cent and reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 44.6 per cent across the period from 2020 to 2025.
The agreement establishes joint working groups across pivotal sectors including clean energy, smart industry and Industry 4.0, the digital economy and smart infrastructure, investment and capital markets, and small and medium-sized enterprise and startup financing. These collaborative structures will facilitate both sector-specific engagement and cross-border opportunities in high-growth domains.
Additional provisions support entrepreneurial ventures through incubation and acceleration programmes focused on energy, fintech, healthtech and smart mobility sectors. Abu Dhabi-based small and medium enterprises will gain enhanced access to FICCI’s international networks, enabling broader international expansion and market penetration.
The framework provides mechanisms for ongoing advancement including trade delegations, business visits, economic forums and knowledge exchange, alongside technical expertise and training initiatives. Both organisations commit to identifying and addressing challenges constraining commercial activity whilst strengthening direct communication channels between business communities.
Dr. Al Dhaheri emphasised that the relationship transcends trade statistics alone, reflecting broader commercial aspirations across both nations. He highlighted the agreement’s capacity to connect businesses with partners and opportunities whilst establishing practical channels for companies pursuing market expansion and international partnerships.
Dr. Sahney underscored the arrangement’s significance in advancing bilateral ties during an evolutionary phase increasingly driven by corporate investment and emerging sectors, positioning both organisations to unlock expanding opportunities throughout both markets.
Source: WAM