Abu Dhabi and Seoul Strengthen Business Ties
Abu Dhabi and Seoul are working more closely on business and innovation. Trade between the UAE capital and South Korea grew by 42.5% in 2024, showing strong progress beyond the oil sector.
Expanding Cooperation
The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) agreed to boost cooperation in technology, manufacturing, logistics, and clean energy. The UAE also aims to serve as a launchpad for Korean companies to reach regional and global markets.
Senior officials from both countries met in Abu Dhabi this week to discuss new partnerships. Their trade relationship reached $23.1 billion (AED84.7 billion) last year. While UAE exports to Korea dropped slightly, imports from Korea grew 14% to $5.1 billion (AED18.7 billion), mainly in electronics, machinery, and industrial goods.
Abu Dhabi Chamber data showed a rise of 11.1% in Korean company memberships during 2024. At the same time, Emirati companies are active in Korea in areas such as retail, ICT, shipping, and port management.
Both sides expect the UAE-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to bring Emirati suppliers into Korean value chains and create more innovation-focused partnerships.
Driving Growth
Abu Dhabi Chamber Director General Ali Mohamed Al Marzooqi said the forum highlights Abu Dhabi’s plan to “unlock growth, expand market access, and support the private sector” through global partnerships.
The event also marked the first UAE-Korea Joint Business Council, which agreed to create working groups in fast-growing sectors like AI, biotechnology, and clean energy. The Chamber and KITA will continue with follow-up meetings and business matchmaking to turn agreements into real investments.
With over 158,000 members, the Abu Dhabi Chamber says its partnership with KITA, which represents 73,000 companies, will help entrepreneurs access Asian markets and attract Korean investors to the Gulf’s fastest-growing economy.
Investment Opportunities
In May 2023, UAE business groups identified about $2 billion in potential investments in South Korea, covering sectors such as energy, aerospace, technology, agriculture, and K-culture. Mubadala and Korea Development Bank also signed an agreement to create the Korea Sovereign Investment Partnership, aimed at channeling UAE funds into startups and new industries.
Published: 23th September 2025
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