Dubai Chambers is advancing its efforts to enhance economic cooperation with Australia, building on strong trade growth and new partnership opportunities.
Expanding Bilateral Cooperation
Dubai Chambers recently hosted a high-level Australian delegation led by the Honourable Rosslyn Bates, Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training of Queensland. The meeting, held at the Chamber’s headquarters, was attended by H.E. Yahya Lootah, Vice Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Commerce, alongside senior UAE and Australian officials including H.E. Ridwaan Jadwat, Australian Ambassador to the UAE, and H.E. Bryony Hilless, Consul General of Australia in Dubai.
“We are committed to strengthening bridges with our international partners and exploring new avenues of cooperation that empower the business community and stimulate the growth of global trade. Queensland remains a valued economic partner, and we look forward to deepening our bilateral relations while unlocking fresh opportunities for investment and trade,” said Lootah.
The discussions focused on ways to expand trade and investment across sectors of mutual interest, while highlighting Dubai’s role as a global hub for companies looking to access high-growth markets in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
Non-Oil Trade Growth and Rising Company Presence
Dubai’s non-oil trade with Australia reached AED13.1 billion in 2024, reflecting 8% year-on-year growth. The relationship is further strengthened by business integration: in H1 2025 alone, 250 new Australian companies joined Dubai Chamber of Commerce, bringing the total number of active members from Australia to 1,594.
In addition, Dubai International Chamber, one of the three chambers operating under Dubai Chambers, continues to play a pivotal role in fostering bilateral ties. Its representative office in Australia, launched in 2023, serves as a gateway to attract Australian investment into Dubai and support Dubai companies expanding into the Australian market.
UAE–Australia CEPA: A New Era of Trade
Dubai Chambers’ efforts align with the UAE–Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in 2024. This landmark deal marked Australia’s first trade agreement with a Middle East country, reinforcing the UAE’s CEPA program and boosting private-sector collaboration.
- CEPA aims to triple bilateral non-oil trade to over $15 billion by 2032, up from $4.23 billion in 2023.
- Bilateral non-oil trade already reached $2.3 billion in H1 2024, a 10.1% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
The UAE remains Australia’s leading trade partner in the Middle East and its 20th largest globally. By 2023, the two countries had committed a combined $14 billion to each other’s economies, while more than 300 Australian businesses were operating in the UAE across sectors such as construction, financial services, agriculture, and education.
Beyond Trade: Broader Cooperation
The UAE–Australia CEPA goes beyond traditional trade measures, incorporating chapters that promote sustainability, women’s empowerment, environment, food security, and animal welfare. This broad-based framework strengthens collaboration in areas that address both countries’ future development goals.
Outlook
With bilateral trade on the rise, strong corporate engagement, and a historic CEPA agreement in place, Dubai and Australia are set to usher in a new era of economic partnership. Dubai Chambers’ initiatives are ensuring that businesses from both countries continue to thrive, while unlocking new opportunities for investment, innovation, and sustainable growth.
