When more than 700 of the world’s most forward-looking investors, founders, policymakers, and corporate leaders converged in New York City for the Dubai Business Forum – USA, it marked far more than another stop on the global business event circuit. It signaled a major turning point in economic diplomacy — a moment when Dubai, already one of the world’s most strategic business hubs, elevated its relationship with the United States to a new level of partnership, innovation, and opportunity.
The Forum, organized by Dubai Chambers in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S.–U.A.E. Business Council, reflected a clear global reality: the gravitational pull of Dubai on American companies, talent, and capital has never been stronger. What was once seen as a gateway to the Middle East is now commanding the attention of global institutions as a world-leading center for finance, innovation, and cross-border wealth creation.
This is not an accident. It is the deliberate result of Dubai’s long-term strategic vision, its aggressive investment in infrastructure and regulatory modernization, and a governance culture built on speed, agility, and the relentless pursuit of competitive advantage.
In New York, this reality was on full display — and so was the next chapter of the U.S.–Dubai relationship.
A Forum That Felt Like a Pivot Point
Held on November 12, 2025, the Dubai Business Forum brought together an unparalleled mix of industry leaders from both sides of the world. Senior government officials, including H.E. Eng. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori (Chairman, Dubai Chambers) and H.E. Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah (President & CEO, Dubai Chambers), spoke alongside global executives such as:
- Jared Cohen, President of Global Affairs & Co-Head of the Goldman Sachs Global Institute
- Arshad Ghafur, President for the Middle East & North Africa, Bank of America
- Jose Minaya, Global Head of BNY Investments & Wealth
- Anthony O’Sullivan, UAE Managing Partner, EY
- Dr. Marwan AlZarouni, CEO of AI, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism
These leaders — representing trillions of dollars of institutional capital and some of the world’s most influential financial platforms — came to speak about one central idea: Dubai’s role in shaping the future economy.
And they did so at a time when 3,690 American companies now operate in Dubai, a staggering 224% increase in under four years.
The message from the stage was unmistakable:
Dubai is no longer just a competitive market. It is a global business command center — a place where capital, innovation, and policymaking converge at speed and scale.
The Announcement That Electrified the Investor Community
One of the Forum’s most impactful moments came during the opening remarks by Chairman H.E. Eng. Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, when he announced the launch of Dubai Chambers’ first U.S. office, located in New York City — a strategic expansion that instantly resonated with American business leaders seeking direct access to Dubai’s booming ecosystem.
The New York office will serve as a full-service platform for American investors, providing:
- Market intelligence
- Regulatory and licensing guidance
- Curated introductions to Dubai-based partners
- Family-office-level matchmaking
- Strategic planning for cross-border expansion
For American institutional investors and UHNW families — many of whom are increasingly evaluating multi-jurisdictional operating models — this direct, on-the-ground support represents a powerful new bridge into Dubai’s economy.
In many ways, the move signals the institutionalization of the U.S.–Dubai economic corridor. It acknowledges the rapidly rising interest from American entrepreneurs, technology executives, digital-assets firms, private-equity leaders, and innovators who now see Dubai as a center of gravity for global expansion.
Why Dubai Is Becoming a Magnet for American Capital
Dubai’s appeal to U.S. investors is not only economic — it is structural. In sessions that spanned fintech, digital assets, AI, clean energy, institutional capital flows, and sustainable growth, the Forum spotlighted several forces driving this dramatic convergence.
- A Future-Focused Regulatory Framework
Dubai’s rise as the #4 global fintech hub was repeatedly highlighted during the event. Today, global powerhouses like Stripe, Robinhood, and Coinbase operate in the emirate, drawn by its open regulatory systems and digital-economy incentives.
This momentum is powered by institutions such as the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), which has created:
- A first-of-its-kind licensing ecosystem
- Clear compliance frameworks
- Highly competitive capital-formation pathways
- Global visibility in the digital-asset community
With U.S. digital-asset regulation still evolving, Dubai is increasingly viewed as the world’s most innovation-friendly regulatory environment.
- Economic Stability and Predictability
At a time of geopolitical uncertainty, Dubai offers something rare: political stability, consistent economic policy, and long-range strategic planning.
This stability is particularly compelling to:
- Family offices
- International founders
- Decentralized finance platforms
- Global fintechs
- Institutional investors seeking diversification
Dubai’s governance model — one that is highly responsive to industry needs and built on public-private partnership — is giving global investors confidence to plan multi-decade strategies in the city.
- Connectivity That Reinforces Global Ambition
Dubai’s geographic positioning means businesses can operate seamlessly across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East from a single headquarters.
Its infrastructure — from aviation to logistics to digital connectivity — is among the best in the world. Forum speakers repeatedly described Dubai’s connectivity as one of its strongest competitive advantages, often comparing its global access favorably to New York’s.
- Full Foreign Ownership and Lightning-Fast Setup
Dubai’s free-zone model allows 100% foreign ownership, with streamlined licensing, sector-specific hubs, and modernized corporate structures.
For U.S. companies that are used to regulatory friction, slow turnarounds, and administrative complexity, Dubai’s ease of setup is transformative.
This efficiency has been a major factor in the 224% surge in American companies operating in the city.
- Tokenization and the Next Era of Asset Innovation
The Forum also underscored Dubai’s ambition to become the global capital of tokenization, a strategic bet that could fundamentally reshape global wealth flows.
Dubai’s tokenization agenda is already attracting:
- Blockchain innovators
- Digital-asset managers
- Tokenized real-estate platforms
- Next-generation fintech founders
- Crypto-native family offices
For American investors watching the global evolution of digital assets, Dubai represents one of the most advanced and scalable ecosystems in the world.
D33: The Vision Driving Dubai’s Next Decade
A consistent theme across the Forum was the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) — a transformational plan to double Dubai’s economic output over the next decade.
Under D33:
- Dubai will support the creation of 30 unicorns
- Help 400 SMEs scale into global champions
- Expand specialized free zones dedicated to AI, deep tech, and digital innovation
This ambition resonated strongly with U.S. investors looking for high-growth, future-ready markets that combine government support with private-sector dynamism.
Dubai’s emerging role as an international launchpad — not only for technology companies, but for global entrepreneurs, investors, and families seeking generational opportunities — was a central narrative throughout the event.
Panels That Defined the Strategic Conversation
Across the Forum’s many sessions, several stood out for their clarity, forward-looking vision, and relevance to institutional investors.
- AI Adoption and the Future of Global Capital
Dr. Marwan AlZarouni and other AI leaders discussed how artificial intelligence will reshape Dubai’s economy, from tourism to finance to public services. Their message was bold: Dubai aims to lead globally in AI implementation and commercialization, not just regulation.
- Sustainable Growth and ESG in a Post-ESG World
Panels explored the evolution of sustainability — particularly the shift away from ESG rhetoric toward actionable carbon-reduction strategies, transparent reporting, and sustainable economic diversification. Dubai’s climate initiatives and investment in clean energy were highlighted as key drivers of long-term resilience.
- Institutional Capital, Family Offices, and Transnational Wealth
Executives from Goldman Sachs, BNY, and Bank of America spoke to the shifting landscape of global capital allocation. Many emphasized Dubai’s ability to serve as a neutral financial hub — particularly appealing to UHNW families seeking asset protection, tax efficiency, and multi-region access.
The audience — filled with global family offices, cross-border investors, and multi-national business leaders — responded strongly to the message that Dubai is uniquely positioned to facilitate generational wealth strategies.
A New Era for U.S.–Dubai Alliances
One of the Forum’s strongest themes was partnership. Dubai is not seeking transactional business relationships with American companies — it is building strategic alliances that will define the coming decades.
The new Dubai Chambers office in New York is a reflection of that: a physical commitment to long-term collaboration, expansion, and cross-border wealth creation.
For American founders, CEOs, and investors, the implications are profound:
- Faster access to markets across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia
- A seamless entry point for new ventures
- A stable platform for scaling global operations
- A proactive regulatory environment that evolves with industry needs
With U.S. investment reaching $3.9 billion in the first half of 2025 — and $21.7 billion over the past decade — the appetite for deeper engagement is clear.
Dubai’s Transformation Continues to Accelerate — and the U.S. Is Now a Central Part of the Story
What was most striking about the Forum was the alignment — across government officials, private-sector leaders, and institutional investors — that the Dubai-U.S. economic relationship is poised for exponential growth.
As H.E. Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah noted, Dubai’s rise is driven by a unique combination of:
- Stability
- Connectivity
- Agility in governance
- Public-private collaboration
- Pro-innovation policy frameworks
This approach empowers companies not just to operate, but to innovate — to become part of Dubai’s next chapter of growth.
The Forum served to make one point unmistakable:
Dubai is intentionally positioning itself as the global headquarters for the world’s most ambitious companies, investors, and innovators — and America is now at the center of that strategy.
What This Means for Impact Wealth’s Global Investor Audience
For UHNW families, fund managers, PE and VC leaders, founders, and internationally mobile investors, Dubai offers a profound strategic advantage:
- Portfolio Diversification Through a Global Financial Hub
Dubai enables access to emerging markets across three continents from a single operating base.
- Tax-Efficient Structuring and Wealth Protection
Investors can optimize global structures while preserving regulatory flexibility.
- Exposure to High-Growth Sectors
Digital assets, AI, tokenized assets, deep tech, and fintech are scaling rapidly.
- A Stable, Innovation-Friendly Environment
The governance model is uniquely focused on enabling growth rather than imposing constraints.
- A Dedicated U.S.–Dubai Gateway
The new New York office creates a seamless bridge, reducing friction for U.S. businesses and family offices.
A Defining Moment in Global Economic Leadership
The Dubai Business Forum – USA was more than a conference; it was a declaration of intent.
With the U.S. now firmly integrated into Dubai’s long-term strategy, a new era of global business is emerging — one in which Dubai acts as:
- A financial powerhouse
- A digital-asset leader
- A global innovation hub
- A bridge between East and West
- A preferred home base for the world’s most ambitious investors and entrepreneurs
For American companies, innovators, and families seeking new horizons, Dubai is not just a destination — it is a future.
And with its new U.S. presence, that future has never been closer.
