Dubai Chambers Expands Southeast Asia Reach with New Bangkok Office

Editorial Team

Last updated 4-06-2025

3 min

Dubai and Thailand trade ties grow, with Thai investments reaching $626 million in recent years.

Opening of Dubai International Chamber's office in Bangkok aims to boost UAE business presence in Asia.

Non-oil trade between the two surged by 23%, highlighting Thailand's significance for Dubai's strategy.

A delegation of Emirati companies visited Thailand, potentially enhancing commercial connections.

Dubai Chambers plans to establish 50 overseas locations by 2030 to strengthen global business networks.

Trade links between Dubai and Thailand continue to flourish, with Thai investments in the emirate hitting an impressive $626 million over the past five years, according to Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, the President and CEO of Dubai Chambers.

Speaking at the "Doing Business with Thailand" event held in late May, Lootah highlighted that Thailand remains one of Dubai's key trading partners within the ASEAN region. Over a warming plate of pad thai a few nights back, someone mentioned this growing economic tie-up to me; seems word is spreading that Dubai and ASEAN countries really are solidifying business relationships beyond expectations.

Lootah emphasised optimism about the future, mentioning that the recent opening of Dubai International Chamber's new representative office in Bangkok marks an important strategic move. It’s part of something they're calling the 'New Horizons' initiative, aimed at bolstering the UAE business presence in bustling markets like Thailand and enhancing trade and investment partnerships across Southeast Asia.

Interestingly, non-oil trade between the two has shot up considerably. Figures from Dubai Chambers show a healthy 23 percent jump, rising from around $5.3 billion in 2023 to approximately $6.5 billion in 2024. That's clearly a substantial boost. According to Lootah, these figures underline Thailand’s growing significance in Dubai Chambers' global expansion strategy.

The new Bangkok base opened just as a delegation of 20 Emirati companies visited Thailand, offering the UAE businesses an up-close feel of the local market and the investment opportunities available. Dubai Chambers hopes this exposure will lead to stronger commercial connections and assist Emirati companies looking to expand internationally.

Lootah also added that this latest office in Bangkok falls neatly into Dubai Chambers’ broader strategy to have 50 overseas locations by 2030. This strategic plan is intended to reinforce Dubai's position as a major global hub for investment and business networks.

Throughout his remarks, Lootah consistently emphasised Dubai Chambers' ongoing commitment to helping local businesses tap into international markets, build dynamic partnerships, and support sustainable growth aligned with Dubai’s wider economic vision.

With Dubai and Thailand cementing these trade bonds, it looks like there will be plenty more commercial cooperation and investment on the horizon (or perhaps we should say horison—if you'll forgive my slip!). It surely makes for promising news for firms on both sides, and as our Arageek readers often say, these growing business connections can only mean good things for trade, opportunities, and cultural exchange down the line.

🚀 Got exciting news to share?

If you're a startup founder, VC, or PR agency with big updates—funding rounds, product launches 📢, or company milestones 🎉 — AraGeek English wants to hear from you!