A year after Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council, issued a directive to revamp the board of directors of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the organization has reported significant advancements in private sector involvement, international outreach, and economic development.
The resolution published on July 28, 2024, marked a pivotal step in aligning the chamber’s objectives more closely with Abu Dhabi’s comprehensive economic vision.
Since this resolution, the chamber has entered a “new strategic phase,” characterized by enhanced partnerships with the private sector and a decisive effort to establish Abu Dhabi as a globally integrated business center.
Over the last year, membership in the chamber increased by 4.9%, reaching over 158,000 registered enterprises.
Among the sectors experiencing the most growth were agriculture, forestry, and fishing (21%), arts and entertainment (13%), and ICT along with technical services (10%).
There were also notable gains in utilities, real estate, education, and transportation, while essential sectors like construction, manufacturing, and finance maintained a stable growth rate of around 3%.
Business engagement remained robust, with over 1,000 private sector representatives taking part in 69 business events, including the prominent Abu Dhabi Business Week and 10 legal and commercial workshops.
To facilitate policy advocacy and reform, the chamber established 15 working groups and released 364 economic reports aimed at assisting decision-making across various sectors.
Abu Dhabi Chamber Enhances Global Engagement
The chamber also expanded its international engagement. In the previous year, it hosted 70 incoming diplomatic and commercial delegations, signed 25 cooperation agreements globally, and led 11 outgoing delegations to fortify its international market connections.
A landmark achievement was the inauguration of its first international office in Poland, marking a new phase of worldwide outreach.
Its dedication to business excellence was evident, as seven firms received the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award for their innovation and performance.
Operationally, the chamber handled more than 18,900 inquiries and recorded a 90.23% satisfaction rating on the government’s TAMM platform, reflecting its commitment to service efficiency.
“The advancements we have made indicate the resilience and aspirations of Abu Dhabi’s private sector. By fostering meaningful collaborations and adhering to a commitment to innovation and excellence, we are continuously creating new opportunities for businesses to prosper both locally and internationally,” stated Shamis Ali Al Dhaheri, the second Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the chamber.
The revitalized mandate of the chamber is now actively in progress, focused on empowering the private sector, providing data-driven insights, and advancing Abu Dhabi’s status as a leading economic entity.