Abu Dhabi Chamber and FICCI Forge Strategic Trade Pact at India-UAE Business Forum in Mumbai

The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) signed a cooperation agreement on October 8 at the India–UAE Business Forum in Mumbai, establishing a formal framework to deepen trade, investment and private‑sector links between the two countries. The forum, organized by the Abu Dhabi Chamber with FICCI as host partner and attended by 114 firms from the UAE and India, sets up joint working groups and a programme of exchanges aimed at accelerating collaboration in high‑growth sectors.

“This agreement is important because it creates practical channels that bring our business communities closer together and give companies greater access to the information, connections and opportunities they need to turn ambition into investment and expansion,” said Dr. Ali bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, First Vice Chairman of Abu Dhabi Chamber, who signed the pact for ADCCI.

Dr. Vikramjit Singh Sahney, a FICCI National Executive Member and Rajya Sabha MP, signed on behalf of FICCI and highlighted the commercial potential the deal unlocks. “Through this agreement, we look forward to opening new channels for companies to explore partnerships and investment opportunities, expanding cooperation across high‑growth sectors, and leveraging FICCI’s extensive network to connect UAE businesses with companies and opportunities across India,” he said.

Agreement scope and mechanisms

The memorandum creates joint working groups tasked with delivering targeted collaboration in:

• Clean energy, smart industry and Industry 4.0
• The digital economy and smart infrastructure
• Investment and capital markets
• SME and startup financing

It also commits both organisations to help startups access incubation and acceleration programmes in energy, fintech, healthtech and smart mobility. Abu Dhabi‑based SMEs will gain access to FICCI’s international networks, while both sides will regularly exchange trade delegations, conduct business visits, and share market research, technical expertise and training. The partners also agreed to identify and flag regulatory or logistical barriers that impede bilateral trade.

Context and commercial backdrop

The pact comes amid substantial growth in UAE‑India commerce. Bilateral trade reached $101.25 billion (Dh371.8 billion) in FY2025‑26, with both governments targeting close to $200 billion by 2032. The UAE–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), in force since May 2022, has widened the scope for private‑sector investment and collaboration and provides a policy framework that the ADCCI–FICCI partnership aims to exploit.

The Indian business footprint in Abu Dhabi is significant: 21,085 active Indian companies were registered with the Abu Dhabi Chamber as of August 2026. In 2025 alone, 4,642 new Indian firms registered — a 38.8 percent increase year‑on‑year — and new registrations rose at a compound annual rate of 44.6 percent between 2020 and 2025.

Outlook

By establishing structured working groups and practical channels for startups, SMEs and larger corporates, the agreement is designed to convert rising trade figures into deeper commercial partnerships and cross‑border investment. The involvement of the Confederation of Indian Industry and the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry alongside ADCCI and FICCI signals broad institutional buy‑in for initiatives that could accelerate joint projects in clean energy, digitalisation and financial markets. As both sides pursue the $200 billion bilateral trade target, the new cooperation framework could play a central role in channeling private sector activity into measurable deals and bilateral ventures over the coming years.