The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and U.A.E. Embassy in Washington, D.C. jointly hosted a conversation with a Dubai business delegation on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025 at Cafe Milano in Washington, D.C. Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation, led the delegation, which included representatives from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Chambers, Emirates SkyCargo, and DP World. The delegation is visiting New York and Washington, D.C. in conjunction with the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings.

Mr. Badri overviewed the D33 Agenda, which aims to double Dubai’s GDP by 2033 – the 200- year anniversary of the Al Maktoum family’s rule in Dubai. He noted:

• Dubai’s geographic location allows it to easily connect to emerging markets with global capital and talent.
• The D33 Agenda aligns with the U.A.E.’s broader economic diversification goals and Vision 2031, a national 10-year plan for the country’s development path.
• Dubai is an attractive business destination because of its globally competitive business environment and business friendly policies, including financial free zones, 100% foreign ownership, and tax incentives.
• The D33 Agenda focuses on strengthening Dubai’s industrial sector and promoting export growth, aiming to make Dubai one of the five leading logistics hubs in the world and one of the top four global financial centers. 

Mr. Badri and the delegation outlined key developments in Dubai related to the D33 Agenda’s focus areas, including manufacturing and logistics, AI and emerging technologies, financial services, and tourism.

• Dubai hosts a fully integrated logistics ecosystem that connects Dubai to markets in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Emirates SkyCargo plans to double its freighter fleet to 21 aircraft by the end of 2026. DP World continues to expand globally and has a presence in 75 countries.
• The U.A.E.’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) with over 40 countries to date, and 20 more in progress, offer great advantages.
• Dubai is a global leader in AI and the ongoing development of its AI ecosystem, including a regulatory framework for evolving AI technologies and the training of government employees in AI. Dubai now appointed 22 Chief AI Officers across government entities.
• MICE conferences attract global business and talent to Dubai, including this week’s Dubai AI Week 2025, which will convene global leaders and senior business executives for key events including the AI Retreat, Dubai Assembly for AI, Global Prompt Engineering Championship, the Dubai AI Festival, and Machines Can See conference. 

Mr. Badri and the delegation also emphasized that long-term international partnerships will play a key role in achieving the D33 Agenda’s target of doubling Dubai’s foreign trade and economic output. He encouraged attendees to contact him and his team, remarking that the Dubai government takes pride in being a phone call, or WhatsApp, away.

For more information about the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council’s programming and this event, please contact Caitlin Cottrell at ccottrell@usuaebusiness.org.