Dubai Chambers Leads Mission to Strengthen Ireland Ties

Dubai Chambers has intensified its international engagement by leading a high-level trade mission to Ireland, reflecting the emirate’s growing role as a global hub for trade and investment. The mission aimed to unlock new economic opportunities and strengthen Dubai’s position as a gateway for international business. This initiative forms part of the chamber’s broader strategy to expand Dubai’s global footprint and create stronger trade connections with leading economies worldwide.

Leadership and Delegation

The official mission to Dublin was led by H.E. Eng. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Chairman of Dubai Chambers, and H.E. Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers. They were joined by a senior delegation of business leaders from various sectors representing Dubai’s diverse economy. The visit took place under the chamber’s flagship programme, the ‘Growth Corridors’ initiative, which focuses on developing trade partnerships with key international markets that have high potential for collaboration and investment.

Strengthening Ties with Ireland’s Institutions

During the mission, the Dubai delegation held productive meetings with several prominent Irish public and private sector institutions. These included Enterprise Ireland, the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, the Irish Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), and the Ireland Foreign Direct Investment Agency (IDA). The discussions explored mutual areas of interest such as financial services, logistics, investment, digital industries, and technology innovation. Both sides expressed a shared commitment to facilitating joint ventures, cross-border partnerships, and improved market access for businesses in both countries.

Learning from Ireland’s Innovation Ecosystem

A key part of the visit focused on understanding Ireland’s thriving innovation and startup ecosystem. The delegation toured several leading entrepreneurship centres such as Dogpatch Labs, which hosts over 250 startups and runs Ireland’s National Accelerator programme; the Guinness Enterprise Centre (GEC), which supports more than 120 early-stage businesses; and NovaUCD, the innovation hub of University College Dublin that has helped over 550 startups since its inception. These visits gave the delegation valuable insights into Ireland’s success in fostering creativity, technology development, and startup growth.

Growing Bilateral Trade and Cooperation

The mission comes at a time when trade between Dubai and Ireland continues to strengthen. According to recent figures, non-oil trade between the two markets reached AED 4.1 billion in 2024, representing a 20% year-on-year increase. The trade growth highlights expanding economic cooperation and the increasing confidence of Irish investors in Dubai’s business environment. Sectors such as renewable energy, healthcare technology, logistics, and digital innovation have been identified as key areas of future cooperation.

Expanding Irish Presence in Dubai

Dubai continues to attract an increasing number of Irish companies looking to expand their global reach. In the first half of 2025, 62 new Irish companies registered with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, bringing the total number of active Irish members to 460. This steady rise underlines Dubai’s position as a preferred base for Irish businesses seeking access to regional and global markets. The chamber has played an important role in supporting these companies through guidance, networking, and investment facilitation services.

Unlocking Future Trade Opportunities

The trade mission also focused on identifying new areas of collaboration between Dubai’s fast-growing economy and Ireland’s advanced research and innovation sectors. Dubai’s strength in venture capital, logistics, fintech, and digital transformation complements Ireland’s reputation for technology, education, and scientific research. Both sides agreed on the need to establish frameworks that encourage greater knowledge sharing, promote innovation-driven partnerships, and support startups seeking cross-border growth.

Building Long-Term Economic Bridges

By combining Dubai’s strategic geographic position with Ireland’s innovation-driven economy, the two markets are laying the foundation for a new era of bilateral cooperation. The mission not only strengthened existing trade relations but also encouraged dialogue on sustainable investment, education exchange, and entrepreneurship support. Both countries are now looking to build long-term partnerships that create jobs, boost innovation, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

The Dubai Chambers’ visit to Ireland is another example of the emirate’s commitment to building bridges with international economies. By connecting with new markets and promoting mutual growth, Dubai continues to enhance its reputation as a trusted global partner for trade and investment. The mission’s success demonstrates how collaboration between dynamic economies like Dubai and Ireland can create meaningful opportunities for businesses, investors, and innovators in the years ahead.