Seoul–Abu Dhabi forum turns commercial links into tangible partnerships
The Abu Dhabi Chamber convened 55 Abu Dhabi and South Korean businesses in Seoul for targeted matchmaking, yielding a strategic healthcare agreement and fresh prospects across AI, robotics and trade.
Abu Dhabi delegation converts meetings into concrete collaboration
The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry led a business matchmaking forum in Seoul that brought together 55 companies from Abu Dhabi and the Republic of Korea to identify commercial and investment opportunities across priority sectors. Held at the Trade Tower in partnership with the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), the event formed part of an Abu Dhabi economic delegation visit to South Korea.
Participants took part in a programme of presentations on bilateral economic prospects followed by three hours of one-to-one business meetings. Discussions ranged across healthcare, artificial intelligence, food and beverage, industrial zones, robotics and financial technology.
A key outcome was a strategic cooperation agreement between Emirates Hospitals Group and Jaseng Medical Academy. The arrangement will support collaboration on non‑surgical spine and joint care in Abu Dhabi and promote the exchange of medical knowledge and expertise between the two organisations.
Building on institutional links to deepen trade
Ali Mohamed Al Marzooqi, Director‑General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, said the forum demonstrates how matchmaking platforms can turn the momentum of economic missions into specialised partnerships. He highlighted opportunities arising as both markets advance in artificial intelligence, healthcare and advanced industries, and noted potential to replicate the model across other priority sectors.
Chang Seok‑min, Senior Executive Director at KITA, underlined that recent institutional developments are strengthening ties. With the Korea–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement coming into force in May, Mr Chang said a new foundation is in place to translate institutional progress into contracts, investments and longer‑term cooperation.
Statistics presented during the mission illustrate growing economic engagement: bilateral non‑oil trade reached US$4.8 billion in the first nine months of 2025, a 20% rise on the same period in 2024, while Korean foreign direct investment into the UAE totalled US$1.5 billion in 2024. The number of Korean companies registered with the Abu Dhabi Chamber rose 5.9% in 2025 versus 2024, and member companies with South Korean partners increased by 9.2%.
The Abu Dhabi delegation included VIAI, Emirates Hospitals Group, Techno Exo, Seven Seas Group, Agthia Group, KEZAD Group, Droners Technologies & Robotics, Saray AI Solutions, Aligned Edges, Brocode Solutions Technology, Shashat Opto Electronics Manufacturing and LON. The forum followed an Abu Dhabi Investment Forum held in Seoul a day earlier, organised with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and Abu Dhabi Global Market.
Through economic missions and targeted matchmaking, the Abu Dhabi Chamber aims to convert diplomatic and commercial momentum into partnerships and investments that support the emirate’s competitiveness and sustainable growth.
Source: WAM