Abu Dhabi has signed several key agreements and explored new opportunities to strengthen partnerships across various sectors during a successful visit to India and Singapore.
An economic delegation from Abu Dhabi, led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), has concluded its visit to India and Singapore as part of ongoing efforts to solidify the emirate’s position as a global hub for talent, business, and investment.
The economic delegation held high-level meetings with top government officials, business leaders, and investors in Singapore and Mumbai, exploring opportunities in key sectors such as life sciences, pharmaceuticals, AI, digital infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and financial services.
Abu Dhabi’s Growing Role as a Global Hub for Talent, Business, and Investment
Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADDED, said that, “Our visit to Singapore and India comes as we continue to strengthen ties with top trade partners and economic powerhouses around the globe, and lead conversations addressing trends and transformations to ensure a brighter future for our people. Impactful partnerships are key pillars of our ‘Falcon Economy’, which is accelerating the emirate’s transition to a smart, diversified, and sustainable economy, generating ample opportunities for talent, investors, and businesses.”
Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi Chairman – ADDED
“Through progressive policies, a business-enabling ecosystem, world-class infrastructure and connectivity, and forward-looking regulations, Abu Dhabi has become a place where ambition meets opportunity. Attracted by the unique attributes of the emirate, talent, businesses, and investments in Abu Dhabi are growing rapidly. In 2024, Singapore’s investments in Abu Dhabi rose by 25 percent, with a focus on manufacturing, education, construction, and professional, scientific, and technical activities, while Indian companies operating in the emirate saw a 31 percent rise during the same period. Our economic ties with the two fast-growing economies are steadily increasing, and the discussions during the two visits focused on deepening partnerships in strategic economic sectors and clusters, including life sciences, pharmaceuticals, AI, fintech, financial services, sustainable energy, logistics, and advanced industries.”
MoUs and Bilateral Meetings Foster Collaboration in Key Sectors
During the two visits, the Abu Dhabi economic delegation held over 140 bilateral meetings with leading entities, financial and investment powerhouses, asset management firms, family businesses, offices, and UHNWIs to co-create and seize opportunities in various industries and geographies.
Five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed by Abu Dhabi entities with Indian partners to enhance collaboration in startups, family businesses, logistics, manufacturing, and trade facilitation.
The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ADGM, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and Abu Dhabi Customs organized forums and events in Singapore and Mumbai to build relations, enhance partnerships, and highlight opportunities generated by Abu Dhabi’s plans to accelerate economic growth and diversification.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Forum (ADIF) in Mumbai provided a platform for Indian businesses and investors to explore opportunities in Abu Dhabi through direct engagements with key decision-makers in the emirate. ADIF highlighted opportunities for collaboration with Indian companies in high-growth sectors such as healthcare, biopharma and life sciences, agritech, food and water security, financial services, media, entertainment, gaming, and sports.
UAE-India Startup Series: Connecting India’s Talent Pool with Abu Dhabi’s Strategic Capital
Addressing the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum in Mumbai, HE Dr. Abdulnasser Alshaali, UAE Ambassador to India, said that, “The UAE and India partnership is entering one of its most dynamic chapters, where decades of trust and trade are converging with the technologies and opportunities of tomorrow. Abu Dhabi has established itself as a destination for the world’s ambitious founders and enterprises to innovate, grow, and expand globally.”
“Through landmark initiatives such as the ‘UAE-India Startup Series’, launched in June 2025, we are connecting India’s extraordinary pool of talent with the UAE’s strategic capital, global reach, and ecosystem that enables all to reach their full potential. UAE and India share an appetite for opportunity and a determination to shape the future. Together, we are creating a corridor where ideas, innovation, and investment can flow freely, and both our nations rise stronger,” Dr. Alshaali added
The UAE-India Startup Series has become India’s largest startup initiative, attracting more than 10,000 founders, spanning fintech, deep-tech, agri-tech, health-tech, clean energy, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. And five startups will be selected to expand globally, with the UAE as their launchpad. The Series is powered by strategic partners exemplifying the UAE’s innovation and investment landscape to support the winning startups through incubation, mentorship, market access, and trade facilitation.
