The UAE India Business Council – UAE Chapter (UIBC-UC) and global consultancy Arthur D. Little have released a landmark strategic report examining how the India-UAE economic relationship is evolving from a traditional trade corridor into a fully integrated consumer and retail ecosystem.
The report, titled "The India-UAE Corridor: From Access to Advantage," was launched on May 18 in Dubai during an exclusive dinner hosted by UIBC-UC under the theme "Strength in Resilience." The event was attended by UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Indian Ambassador to the UAE Dr. Deepak Mittal, and Consul-General of India to Dubai and the Northern Emirates Satish Kumar Sivan.
Drawing on interviews with senior executives from leading firms including LuLu Group, Apparel Group, Landmark Group, Tata Consumer Products, and Tanishq, the report maps the complementary strengths of both markets. India's retail sector is projected to exceed $1.5 trillion by 2030, backed by a growing middle class and rapid digital adoption. The UAE, meanwhile, offers a premium, globally benchmarked retail environment with high purchasing power and a diverse consumer base.
Thomas Kuruvilla, Managing Partner for the Middle East and India at Arthur D. Little, described the bilateral relationship as "one of the most consequential consumer growth axes of the next decade."
The report identifies five strategic realities for cross-border success, including the need to treat India as multiple micro-markets, leverage the UAE as a premium retail showcase, and build hybrid regional supply chains. It cautions that companies relying on standardised market-entry models frequently struggle to scale.
UIBC-UC Chairman Faizal Kottikollon said businesses must think beyond exports and invest in integrated, future-ready ecosystems to drive the next phase of collaboration between the two nations.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
