DMCC has recorded a 7.7 percent rise in British companies registered in its business district over the past 12 months, lifting the total to 2,258. The figure was announced as the free zone wrapped up its latest "Made For Trade Live" roadshow in London.
British firms now make up around 8.5 percent of DMCC's community of more than 26,000 companies. Their activities span professional services, technology, finance, wealth management, media, commodities, shipping and logistics. The community includes more than 520 professional services companies and over 200 each in technology and energy.
The growth follows a strong year for bilateral commerce. UK-UAE trade in goods and services exceeded £25 billion in 2025, up 3.7 percent year-on-year. In May, the United Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement, making the UK the first G7 country to strike such a deal with the bloc. The UK Government estimates the agreement could add £3.7 billion annually to UK GDP in the long term, compared with 2040 projections, once it enters into force.
This was DMCC's second visit to London this year, aimed at engaging British business leaders on expanding through Dubai into the Gulf and other high-growth markets.
Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of DMCC, said the UK remains one of the centre's most important markets. He said DMCC is strengthening its platform for British companies, connecting them with almost 27,000 businesses as well as capital, customers and key global trade corridors.
Bin Sulayem said finance and private wealth are growing in importance within DMCC's offering through DMCC FinX and the DMCC Wealth Hub. New regulatory frameworks, he added, support families, entrepreneurs and investors in structuring and managing capital from Dubai.
He said the UK-GCC agreement offers a chance to deepen the flow of capital, investment and business between the two countries and bring more of London's financial and professional expertise into Dubai's ecosystem.
Across DMCC, the technology community now exceeds 4,000 companies working in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, crypto and gaming.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
