High-level German delegation visits IFZA for strategic business talks in Dubai
Dubai, UAE – In response to the shifting dynamics of global trade, German small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly seeking stable and strategic markets for international expansion. Reflecting this trend, a high-level business delegation from the German Association for Small and Medium-sized Businesses (BVMW) visited Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The visit was hosted by IFZA, Dubai's most dynamic Free Zone community.
The visit comes at a time when many German SMEs are actively expanding into international markets such as the UAE, as trade relations between both countries continue to grow. The delegation was warmly welcomed by H.E. Sybille Pfaff, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dubai. In her opening remarks, she shared valuable insights into the bilateral ties between Germany and the UAE, emphasizing the growing importance of economic partnerships. The official agenda included IFZA-led presentations on company formation, legal framework, tax efficiency and market opportunities, as well as success stories of German companies in Dubai. These were complemented by legal consultations and expert insights from tax specialists, offering participants practical guidance on the UAE's legal and fiscal framework.
'Dubai offers German entrepreneurs more than just a foothold in the Middle East – it serves as a gateway to the emerging markets of Asia and Africa,' said Jochen Knecht, CEO of IFZA. 'We are pleased to continue our longstanding partnership with BVMW and showcase how German businesses can establish themselves in the UAE and benefit from its liberal business environment and robust infrastructure. We are confident this visit will serve as a catalyst for further collaboration and investment between Dubai and Germany, contributing to shared growth and prosperity.'
During the visit, IFZA Chairman Martin G. Pedersen received a special honor from the BVMW: in recognition of his outstanding contributions to SMEs and his responsible leadership in business and society, he was officially appointed as Honorary Economic Senator (Wirtschaftssenator h.c.)—making him a member of the BVMW's highest committee, the Federal Economic Senate (BWS).
Discussions between both sides focused on global supply chains and Dubai's role in international business and trade networks. Delegates also explored the emirate's wide range of investment opportunities and the shared vision of attracting multinational corporations and fast-growing startups from Germany to Dubai. A key highlight of the visit was a reception hosted at the German Embassy in Abu Dhabi, underlining the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations.
'The three-day exchange with IFZA marked another key milestone in our ongoing collaboration,' said Christoph Ahlhaus, Chairman of the BVMW Federal Executive Board. 'The Gulf region is one of the world's fastest-growing economies, and our visit confirmed the tremendous potential the UAE holds for German SMEs. This delegation trip opens a new chapter in our international engagement, strengthening global ties and emphasizing the BVMW's international orientation—with IFZA as a strong and trusted partner on the ground in Dubai. We are confident that our longstanding partnership and the joint efforts of all involved will significantly support our growing presence in the UAE and strengthen the German economy for the future.'
The delegation also enjoyed several opportunities for networking, including a desert dinner, cultural excursions, and a visit to the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), providing them with a comprehensive overview of the business and lifestyle benefits Dubai has to offer.
Germany has long been one of the UAE's most important European trading partners. As trade relations continue to deepen, Germany remains the UAE's second-largest EU trading partner and its 13th globally.
With over 2,500 Professional Partners worldwide—including a strong presence in Germany, IFZA is a natural partner for German businesses looking to future-proof their global expansion strategies.
About IFZA
IFZA is the most dynamic and truly international Free Zone Community in the UAE, optimising the country's strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and business-friendly environment. IFZA differentiates itself through its multi-national approach, providing personalised business establishment solutions through its network of Government Authorities and Professional Partners.
Business Owners and Employees can also benefit from a wide spectrum of value-added services within the IFZA ecosystem, including but not limited to property solutions, visa packages and training and development. The IFZA Business Park offers a wide variety of cutting-edge office facilities tailored to meet each Licensee's individual needs and provides a professional, welcoming environment to greet clients, network with other businesses and thrive.
For details contact:
Daniel Ford
Head of Corporate Communications, IFZA
dford@ifza.com
M: +971 56 415 3075
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Today
2 hours ago
- Gulf Today
UAE and Pakistan hold political consultations in Abu Dhabi
The United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan convened the second round of political consultations in Abu Dhabi. The session was co-chaired by Reem Ketait, Deputy Assistant Minister for Political Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Shehryar Akbar Khan, Additional Foreign Secretary at Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The consultations were preceded by a high-level meeting between Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, as part of the 12th session of the UAE-Pakistan Joint Ministerial Commission, held in Abu Dhabi. During the Political Consultations, both sides highlighted the enduring strength of the bilateral relationship. They reflected on recent high-level visits, and welcomed the ongoing growth of economic ties, with non-oil trade surpassing $8.6 billion in 2024. The two sides exchanged assessments on key regional developments, including the situation in the Middle East, and recent discussions at the United Nations Security Council. In this context, the UAE welcomed Pakistan's active role as a non-permanent member of the Council and was briefed on Pakistan's preparations for its forthcoming presidency of the Council in July 2025. Both sides underscored the value of continued coordination on Security Council matters and reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing peace, stability, and constructive solutions to regional challenges. In the multilateral arena, they reviewed the two countries' close cooperation in ensuring the success of the 2026 UN Water Conference, which will be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining regular consultations in order to advance common objectives for the mutual benefit of their peoples. The consultations included the attendance of Hamad Obaid Alzaabi, the UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, and Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan's Ambassador to the UAE, among other officials from both sides. WAM
Arabian Business
4 hours ago
- Arabian Business
Air Arabia launches new Sochi route, expands Russia network to 6 cities
Air Arabia has inaugurated a new route connecting Sharjah to Sochi in Russia, operating six weekly flights. The new service brings the total number of Russian cities served by Air Arabia from Sharjah to six further deepens the airline's footprint in the country. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said: 'We are glad to inaugurate our non-stop flights to Sochi, further strengthening our connectivity with Russia. This expansion not only provides our customers with a convenient and affordable air travel option between the UAE and Russia but also further strengthening tourism and trade ties between both nations. 'Sochi complements our growing network in the country and reflects our ongoing commitment to offering more travel opportunities to our customers.' Air Arabia UAE to Russia flights The Sharjah-based carrier now flies from the UAE to these cities in Russia: Moscow Kazan Samara Ufa Yekaterinburg Sochi Alexey Starostin, CEO Aerod, managing company of Sochi airport, said: 'Today, Sochi is actively developing as an international hub, attracting more and more foreign tourists and offering extensive travel opportunities for Russian citizens. 'The UAE ranks among the top destinations served by the airport. The Emirate of Sharjah will become the third city in the UAE connected to Sochi Airport's route network, once again confirming the growth and strengthening of ties between our countries. 'Thanks to Air Arabia's wide route network, travellers will benefit from convenient connections to destinations across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, significantly expanding their international travel options,' With this latest addition, Air Arabia now connects Russia with three major UAE airports: Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah. The expansion underscores the airline's continued strategy to enhance regional connectivity, foster cultural exchange, and promote bilateral tourism and trade between the UAE and Russia.
Khaleej Times
5 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: No more free remittances? Emirates NBD says 6 countries exempted from new rule
Sending money from the UAE to India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and three other countries via Emirates NBD DirectRemit service would remain free of charge, Khaleej Times can confirm. This comes following an email sent by Emirates NBD to its clients on Friday informing them that starting September 1, 2025, customers will be charged Dh26.25 (inclusive of VAT) for international transfers made via the app or online banking, including those done through DirectRemit. A quick call by Khaleej Times to Emirates NDB call centre, however, confirmed that sending money to India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, UK, and Egypt – either through online banking or the mobile app – would remain free of charge. There will be no fees for sending money to these six countries with a minimum transfer of Dh100 through the app via DirectRemit service, the bank agent clarified. DirectRemit is a digital money transfer service that allows Emirates NBD customers to make remittances to India, the Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Egypt, and UK in less than 60 seconds. No bank account required Meanwhile, there are apps like Botim, Careem Pay, e& money, and Taptap Send that offer free to minimal fees when sending money from the UAE to other countries. Some require no registration fees, no minimum balance, and no bank account required. Customers only need an active UAE mobile number, a debit or credit card, and/ or an active UAE bank account with online banking access. The apps can also be used not only to send money globally and locally but also to pay bills and merchants, as well as to send money directly to a mobile wallet. Third largest sender of money The UAE is the third-largest sender of remittances in the world, after the US and Saudi Arabia. Last year, Indian expats based in the UAE sent $21.6 billion to India, equivalent to 19.2 per cent of the total dollar inflows, ranking the UAE as the second-largest source of global remittance after the US. In 2024, Filipino workers in the UAE, meanwhile, sent approximately $1.52 billion in cash remittances to the Philippines, according to Statista. The total remittances sent by overseas Filipinos to the Philippines surged to an all-time high of $38.34 billion in 2024, with top sources coming from the US, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the UAE, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Philippine Central Bank).
