CAPE TOWN — Dubai Chambers discussed ways to expand trade and investment links with South Africa’s Western Cape province during talks with Premier Alan Winde, as Dubai seeks to deepen its economic footprint across Africa.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of a Dubai Chamber of Commerce trade mission to Cape Town and included Salem AlShamsi, Executive Vice President of International Relations at Dubai Chambers.
Officials explored opportunities to strengthen commercial cooperation and encourage greater business engagement between companies in Dubai and the Western Cape, highlighting sectors including renewable energy, agriculture, technology and infrastructure.
Winde said the Western Cape was committed to strengthening economic ties with the UAE, particularly Dubai, which he described as a global centre for trade, finance, logistics and tourism.
“We see significant potential for collaboration across a range of sectors,” Winde said, citing the province’s established infrastructure, skilled workforce and investment-friendly environment.
Dubai Chambers used the meeting to showcase the emirate’s business ecosystem and its role as a gateway connecting companies to regional and international markets.
AlShamsi reaffirmed Dubai Chambers’ commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with South Africa and supporting partnerships between businesses in both markets.
He said the trade mission reflected the growing importance of South Africa to Dubai’s business community, noting that the country ranked as Dubai’s fifth-largest trading partner in Africa last year.
“South Africa holds strong economic potential and remains an important strategic partner for Dubai,” AlShamsi said. He added that the Western Cape’s strengths in sectors such as food trade and agribusiness offered promising opportunities for deeper collaboration.
The discussions also focused on promoting private-sector partnerships and encouraging investment flows that support long-term economic growth in both markets.
The Cape Town visit forms part of Dubai Chamber of Commerce’s broader efforts to help Dubai-based companies expand across Africa and identify new opportunities in high-growth markets.
