Dubai Chamber of Commerce recorded the largest annual increase in memberships in its history during 2025, reflecting the emirate’s accelerating appeal as a global business hub. The chamber ended the year with 292,486 active member companies, after adding 71,830 new members over the 12-month period.

The figures, published in the chamber’s annual impact report, underscore how Dubai’s pro-business regulatory environment and liberal visa policies continue to attract international entrepreneurs and multinational corporations alike. The chamber also reported issuing 852,184 certificates of origin, while the total value of member exports reached AED 356.5 billion.

Dubai’s business formation boom has been fueled by several structural factors. The introduction of long-term golden visas, the abolition of the requirement for a local Emirati sponsor in mainland companies, and the expansion of free zone incentives have all lowered barriers to entry. Sectors showing the strongest growth include technology, e-commerce, logistics, and professional services, according to the chamber’s data.

The chamber’s New Horizons initiative, which supports member companies expanding into priority international markets, has also contributed to the growth in registrations. The program offers targeted trade missions and interactive workshops designed to connect Dubai-based businesses with stakeholders in key export destinations.

Dubai Chambers president and CEO noted that the organization reviewed 54 laws and draft laws during the year, with a 60 percent adoption rate for private sector recommendations — a signal that the government continues to calibrate regulation in response to business feedback.

The chamber’s mediation center handled 201 cases during the year, with a total case value of AED 241 million — a reflection of the growing commercial complexity that comes with a larger, more diverse membership base. Legal awareness workshops attracted 2,611 participants across 40 sessions, suggesting that demand for compliance and regulatory guidance is rising in step with new company formations.

The record membership numbers arrive amid a broader wave of economic diversification in the UAE, as the federation seeks to reduce its dependence on hydrocarbons and position itself as a global hub for innovation, finance, and trade. Dubai’s GDP growth has outpaced most regional peers, and analysts expect the momentum to carry through 2026, supported by infrastructure investment tied to the country’s hosting commitments and an expanding startup ecosystem.

For new and existing businesses, the chamber’s scale — now approaching 300,000 members — also brings challenges around service capacity and the speed of document processing. Officials have indicated that digital transformation of attestation and certification workflows is a priority for the current year.