A surge in Filipino business activity is reshaping Dubai’s commercial landscape, with 216 new Filipino companies joining the Dubai Chamber of Commerce in the first quarter of 2025 alone.
This adds to more than 800 new Filipino firms registered in 2024, marking an 18% year-on-year increase.
The figures were announced by Salem Al Shamsi, Vice President of International Relations at Dubai Chambers, during a trade mission to Manila from May 25 to 27. The growth, he said, reflects rising confidence in Dubai’s business environment and its status as a global investment hub.
Al Shamsi highlighted that direct investments from Dubai to the Philippines reached US$193 million between 2021 and 2024. In the same period, Filipino investments in Dubai totaled around US$35 million, underscoring strong two-way economic engagement.
The trade mission, part of Dubai Chambers’ “New Horizons” initiative, saw participation from 17 Emirati companies across sectors including agriculture, technology, industrial security, and manufacturing. The aim: to explore new opportunities and deepen trade ties with the Philippine market.
Effective B2B meetings played a key role in fostering connections, with Al Shamsi noting their value in generating partnerships and ensuring measurable results.
He pointed to the Philippines’ strategic location, youthful population, and economic diversification as key draws for Emirati businesses. With growing demand for Dubai’s high-quality goods and services, the Philippines also offers a gateway to Southeast Asian markets.
“Trade missions like this help turn opportunities into real partnerships,”
Al Shamsi said, reaffirming Dubai Chambers’ commitment to supporting local businesses in expanding globally.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
