Ahmedabad : India’s trade and investment engagement with the UAE and the wider GCC region is entering a new phase of accelerated growth, driven by emerging sectors such as technology, renewable energy, healthcare, food, and logistics, alongside continued strength in traditional energy and trade segments.
India and the United Arab Emirates already share a well-established partnership in energy and conventional trade. In recent years, however, technology-led and digital businesses have emerged as key growth engines, reflecting the region’s push toward innovation, digitisation, and knowledge-based economies.
At the same time, food processing, healthcare services, and logistics continue to witness sustained and consistent demand across GCC countries, supported by population growth, urbanisation, and supply chain expansion. Renewable energy has also become a shared strategic priority, aligned with long-term sustainability goals and energy transition plans across the region.
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and the UAE has played a decisive role in strengthening bilateral trade relations. By lowering trade barriers and enhancing regulatory cooperation, CEPA has enabled businesses on both sides to expand with greater confidence and long-term visibility.
Expanding Opportunities for Indian MSMEs : The UAE is increasingly positioned as a powerful gateway to global markets, particularly the Middle East and Africa. Indian MSMEs are widely recognised in the region for their quality, reliability, and operational consistency, making them well placed to tap into growing demand across multiple sectors.
Business-friendly free zones, streamlined regulations, and strong demand for Indian products and services have significantly lowered entry barriers for MSMEs seeking regional expansion. Institutions such as the Arabian African Chamber of Commerce (AACC) play a critical role in this ecosystem by connecting Indian enterprises with credible partners, facilitating business delegations, and offering market-specific insights that help reduce risk and accelerate growth.
Improved Ease of Doing Business for Indian Investors : The UAE has made substantial progress in improving its ease of doing business. Many sectors now permit 100% foreign ownership, while licensing and approvals are largely digitalised, reducing timelines and administrative complexity. Additionally, long-term investor visa policies support stable, future-oriented business planning.