A significiant agreement was recently signed by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) during the India–UAE Business Forum in Mumbai.

The forum brought together 114 companies from the UAE and India to explore opportunities for trade, investment and joint ventures.

Dr. Ali bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, First Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Chamber, and Dr. Vikramjit Singh Sahney, National Executive Member of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), and Founder and Chairman of Sun Group, signed the agreement.
The cooperation agreement establishes a new institutional framework to deepen ties between the Abu Dhabi and Indian business communities, broadens companies’ access to opportunities and markets, and creates practical channels for trade, investment and private-sector collaboration.

The agreement comes as economic ties between the UAE and India continue to expand at pace. Bilateral trade reached US$101.25 billion in FY 2025–2026, with the two countries targeting US$200 billion by 2032, supported by the opportunities created through the UAE–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the widening scope for private-sector investment and collaboration.

The partnership builds on an extensive network of institutional and commercial ties between the two countries.

In Abu Dhabi, the continued expansion of the Indian business community further reflects the depth of these ties. The number of active Indian companies registered with Abu Dhabi Chamber reached 21,085 as of August 2026.

In 2025 alone, 4,642 new Indian companies joined the Chamber, an increase of 38.8% year-on-year, while new registrations recorded a compound annual growth rate of 44.6% between 2020 and 2025.

Dr. Ali bin Harmal Al Dhaheri said, “The relationship between the UAE and India today goes well beyond the growth we see in trade figures. Across both countries, there is a broad base of companies looking for new partners, opportunities and markets. This agreement is important because it creates practical channels that bring our business communities closer together and give companies greater access to the information, connections and opportunities they need to turn ambition into investment and expansion.”

The agreement creates new avenues for sector-specific collaboration, including joint working groups covering clean energy, smart industry, the digital economy and smart infrastructure, investment and capital markets, and SME and startup financing.

Dr. Vikramjit Singh Sahney said, “The UAE and India share deep-rooted economic and commercial ties, and we are now seeing this relationship move into a broader phase driven increasingly by businesses, investment and emerging sectors. Our partnership with Abu Dhabi Chamber is an important step towards bringing our business communities closer together and unlocking the growing opportunities available across both markets.”

The India–UAE Business Forum was organised by Abu Dhabi Chamber in collaboration with FICCI as host partner, with the participation of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry. – editor@nrifocus.com