August 25, 2026

Dubai-India Trade Hits Record $60.6 Billion | AB Capital Dubai’s economic relationship with India has reached another major milestone. Table of Contents + Dubai-India Trade Has More Than Doubled in a Decade 85,841 Indian Companies Are Now Active Dubai Chamber Members Which Industries Are Indian Businesses Operating In? Why Are More Indian Companies Choosing Dubai? The UAE-India CEPA Is Adding Momentum Investment Is Moving in Both Directions Dubai Could Become an Even Bigger Launchpad for Indian Businesses Technology and AI Could Define the Next Phase What Does This Mean for Indian Entrepreneurs? Should Indian Companies Consider Setting Up in Dubai? How AB Capital Can Help Indian Businesses Set Up in Dubai Frequently Asked Questions Dubai’s non-oil trade with India reached a record AED 222.5 billion ($60.6 billion) in 2025, marking a 15% increase over the previous year. At the same time, the number of Indian companies registered as active members of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce reached 85,841 by the end of June 2026. The numbers highlight something bigger than growing trade between two markets. They show how increasingly important Dubai has become as a base for Indian businesses looking to operate, invest and expand internationally. And there is another interesting number behind the headline: 7,579 new Indian companies joined the Dubai Chamber during the first six months of 2026 alone, pushing the active Indian business community up 15% year-on-year. For Indian entrepreneurs considering business setup in Dubai or maybe want a low cost business setup in Dubai, the latest figures offer a strong indication of where the relationship between the two markets is heading. Quick Answer: What Do the Latest Dubai-India Numbers Mean? Dubai’s non-oil trade with India reached $60.6 billion in 2025, while 85,841 Indian companies were active members of the Dubai Chamber by June 2026. India is now Dubai’s second-largest trading partner, and Indian investment into Dubai has also increased significantly. Between 2016 and 2025, Dubai attracted approximately AED 32.3 billion in Indian investment, including AED 8.4 billion in Indian FDI during 2025 alone. For Indian businesses, this suggests that Dubai is increasingly being used not just as a UAE market, but as a base for reaching customers, investors and partners across the Middle East, Africa and other international markets. Dubai-India Trade Has More Than Doubled in a Decade The latest figure becomes even more significant when viewed over a longer period. Dubai’s non-oil trade with India stood at AED 94.2 billion in 2016. By 2025, it had reached AED 222.5 billion. That represents growth of 136.2% over the decade. Dubai-India Trade at a Glance Indicator Latest Figure Dubai-India non-oil trade in 2025 AED 222.5 billion Equivalent value $60.6 billion Annual trade growth in 2025 15% Growth since 2016 136.2% Indian companies active in Dubai Chamber 85,841 New Indian companies in H1 2026 7,579 Indian investment into Dubai, 2016-2025 AED 32.3 billion Indian FDI into Dubai in 2025 AED 8.4 billion Dubai investment into India, 2016-2025 AED 34.1 billion India’s position among Dubai’s trading partners 2nd The scale of the relationship shows that India-Dubai business ties are no longer concentrated in a small number of industries or large corporations. They are becoming broader and more deeply connected. 85,841 Indian Companies Are Now Active Dubai Chamber Members Perhaps the most striking part of the announcement is the number of Indian businesses operating within Dubai’s commercial ecosystem. By the end of June 2026, 85,841 Indian companies were registered as active members of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce. A further 7,579 Indian companies joined during the first half of 2026. The total represented a 15% year-on-year increase. This makes the Indian business community one of the most significant foreign business communities in Dubai. But the number is also important for another reason. It suggests that Indian businesses are not only trading with Dubai from outside the UAE. A growing number are choosing to establish a more direct presence in the emirate. Which Industries Are Indian Businesses Operating In? Indian businesses in Dubai are spread across several sectors. According to Dubai Chambers, trade and services account for 45% of active Indian companies registered with the Dubai Chamber. They are followed by: Real estate, leasing and business services: 27.3% Construction: 19% This diversity is important. Dubai is not attracting Indian companies for just one type of business. The relationship extends across trading, professional services, construction, real estate and other commercial activities. For Indian entrepreneurs, this creates a broader ecosystem of potential customers, suppliers, partners and investors. Why Are More Indian Companies Choosing Dubai? There is no single reason behind the growth. For many companies, Dubai offers a combination of market access, infrastructure, international connectivity and a business environment designed for companies that want to expand beyond one country. Dubai can provide Indian businesses with access to: UAE customers GCC markets Middle Eastern investors African markets International suppliers Global business networks Regional talent International logistics connections Dubai Chambers has described the emirate as a platform from which Indian companies can develop international operations and expand investments. For a company that has already established itself in India, setting up a Dubai operation can therefore be part of a wider international expansion strategy. The UAE-India CEPA Is Adding Momentum Another important factor is the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The agreement came into effect in May 2022 and was designed to reduce trade barriers and improve market access between the two countries. Dubai Chambers says Dubai’s non-oil trade with India increased by 35% between 2022 and 2025, rising from AED 164.9 billion to AED 222.5 billion. That growth gives businesses a more connected environment for cross-border trade. For companies already selling products or services between India and the UAE, the continued development of this relationship could create further opportunities. Investment Is Moving in Both Directions Trade is only one part of the relationship. Investment between Dubai and India is also significant. From 2016 to 2025, Dubai attracted approximately AED 32.3 billion in Indian investment. Of that amount, AED 8.4 billion came through Indian