Dubai sees India lead top 10 countries for new foreign firms in 2025

Indian-owned businesses continued to dominate new non-UAE company registrations at the Dubai Chamber of Commerce during the first nine months of 2025, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for foreign investment and entrepreneurship.

A new analysis by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, shows that Indian companies once again topped the list of new non-UAE businesses joining the chamber between Q1 and Q3 2025.

During the nine-month period, a total of 13,851 new members from India joined the chamber, representing year-on-year growth of 13.9 per cent.

The figures underline Dubai’s enduring appeal and strategic importance as a preferred base for Indian investors and entrepreneurs expanding into the region.

Dubai Chamber of Commerce

Pakistan ranked second, with 6,850 new companies registered between Q1 and Q3 2025, reflecting 13.1 per cent growth compared to the same period in 2024.

Egypt placed third, with 3,754 new Egyptian companies joining the chamber, marking 4.4 per cent growth.

Bangladeshi companies recorded the highest growth rate among new members, with a significant 31.1 per cent increase year on year.

A total of 2,190 Bangladeshi companies joined the Dubai Chamber of Commerce during the first nine months of 2025, placing Bangladesh fourth overall.

The United Kingdom ranked fifth with 2,071 new companies, reflecting 9.5 per cent year-on-year growth.

Syria ranked sixth with 1,403 new companies joining between Q1 and Q3 2025.

China followed in seventh place with 1,143 new companies, registering 2.6 per cent growth, while Jordan ranked eighth with 976 new businesses.

Türkiye secured ninth place with 968 new companies, marking 2.5 per cent growth, while the United States rounded out the top ten with 788 new member companies.

Top sectors in Dubai

In terms of sectoral distribution, the Wholesale and Retail Trade sector ranked first, accounting for 35.9 per cent of new member activity during the period.

This was followed closely by the Real Estate, Renting, and Business Services sector, which accounted for 34.7 per cent of new registrations. The Construction sector ranked third with a share of 17.2 per cent.

The Social and Personal Services sector came fourth at 7.7 per cent, followed by the Transport, Storage, and Communications sector, which ranked fifth with 7.6 per cent of new member activity.