Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry was established in 1965 by a decree issued by Late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who realized the important role that a chamber of commerce could play in supporting the national economy of Dubai. Thereby, Dubai Chamber started its activities with 450 members and a 12-member Board of Directors. The number of members increased to reach more than 108,000 by the end of 2007, representing all economic sectors.

Throughout the past four decades and with the numbers of the Chamber’s members gradually increasing, Dubai Chamber opened three branches and three representative offices in different parts of Dubai aiming to facilitate the delivery of its outstanding services to the members wherever they work. The three branches are located at Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Janfza), Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (Dafza), and Al Aweer area, while the three other offices are located at the Department of Economic Development, Al Towar Center, and another registration office in Jafza.

Aiming to activate the relation between the Chamber’s management and its members, and in order to help them develop their trade and overcome their business obstacles, Dubai Chamber established 20 business groups that represent different economic sectors in Dubai, 34 business councils that represent the Dubai-based foreign companies according to nationality, and 72 trade centers for a number of countries.

For the past 40 years, Dubai Chamber played a crucial role in highlighting Dubai as an international business and services hub, dedicating all its international relations to fulfill this goal through continually supporting the business community in Dubai and reacting and coping with the economical changes worldwide. Dubai Chamber is always interested in developing its performance and activities to keep up its pioneering position not only in the UAE, but also in the whole Gulf and Middle East region.

The strategic objectives of Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry include creating a favorable business environment for its members, supporting the development of business, and promoting Dubai as an international business hub. The Chamber’s long-term objectives focus on representing local businesses, voicing the interests of members to local and regional authorities, building closer relations among Dubai businesses and strong alliances with international trade partners, providing members with value-added services and enhance their competitiveness.

Dubai Chamber’s mission is to represent, support and protect the interests of the business community in Dubai. Dubai Chamber provides a number of services that include data management and business researches, mediation and arbitration, providing members with accurate information about overseas companies with which the members are dealing through Dubai Trade Point, receiving foreign commercial delegations and sending delegates abroad, organizing trade fairs and economic forums, organizing training programs for entrepreneurs, serving business groups and councils, providing credit rating service, issuing certificates of origin to exporters, and other services that meet the requirements of the members and help enhance the investment environment in Dubai.^[1]

References

1. ^ Information received from Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry website, http://www.dubaichamber.ae