Abu dhabi: The Abu Dhabi-India Business Forum, co-organised by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) in cooperation with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), highlighted the partnership’s scale and momentum, focusing on enhancing trade and investment ties.
According to Emirates News Agency, the forum was attended by Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADDED, Hamad Sayah Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of ADDED, along with senior government and private-sector leaders. The event aims to build on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement’s (CEPA) achievements by enhancing relations across various sectors.
Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi expressed enthusiasm for welcoming Piyush Goyal and the high-level Indian delegation, emphasizing Abu Dhabi’s role as a reliable partner in India’s growth trajectory. He highlighted the opportunities in high-growth clusters such as food, Agrictech, financial services, advanced manufacturing, digital infrastructure, smart transport, sustainable energy, and healthcare.
Al Zaabi noted India’s position as one of Abu Dhabi’s largest trading partners, citing significant growth in non-oil trade following the signing of CEPA in 2022. The trade increased by 13.7% in 2023 and soared by 94% in 2024. He stressed the potential for deepening trade and expanding mutual investments to shape a future of shared prosperity.
The forum provided a platform to align opportunities and capabilities, with India’s focus on electronics, automotive, EVs, batteries, and pharmaceuticals complementing Abu Dhabi’s industrial strategy. The tech and business-services industry in India aligns with Abu Dhabi’s strengths, facilitating the emergence of trade corridors and reducing market-entry time.
The programme included presentations by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), Invest India, and companies from both regions. Discussions centered on transforming opportunities into projects and integrating SMEs into the supply chain. Participants committed to maintaining structured follow-up to translate commercial interest into tangible deals and job creation.
CEPA has propelled bilateral trade between the UAE and India toward the US$100 billion target set for 2030. In 2024, the UAE’s non-oil trade with India grew by 20.5%, surpassing AED240 billion (US$65.4 billion), compared to AED199.3 billion (US$54.3 billion) in 2023. The trend continued in H1-2025, with a 33.9% rise in non-oil trade to AED138 billion (US$37.6 billion).
The UAE’s investments in India reached over AED84.4 billion (US$23 billion) in 2024, solidifying the UAE’s position as India’s seventh-largest global investor. The forum underscored the corridor’s ability to foster innovation and investment, leveraging Abu Dhabi’s infrastructure and India’s market scale and technological reach.