Abu Dhabi Chamber Explores New Partnerships at ”Seoul-Abu Dhabi Business Connect” Forum
The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized the "Seoul-Abu Dhabi Business Connect" forum, bringing together a select group of private sector companies from Abu Dhabi and their counterparts in the Republic of Korea. The event aimed to establish direct channels for exploring trade and investment opportunities and forging new partnerships across several priority sectors.
The forum was held at the Trade Tower in Seoul, in collaboration with the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), as part of an Abu Dhabi economic delegation visit to South Korea led by the Chamber. Representatives from 55 Abu Dhabi and Korean companies across various industries participated in the event.
During the forum, a strategic cooperation agreement was signed between Emirates Hospitals Group and Jaseng Medical Academy to develop non-surgical spine and joint care in Abu Dhabi and facilitate the exchange of medical knowledge and expertise between the two sides.
This agreement embodies the role of the business connect platforms organized by the Abu Dhabi Chamber in linking local companies with suitable international partners, thereby transforming the opportunities presented by economic missions into practical partnerships in priority sectors.
The forum commenced with opening remarks by Jang Seok-min, Senior Executive Director of KITA, and H.E. Ali Mohamed Al Marzooqi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, before transitioning into panel discussions and bilateral business-to-business (B2B) meetings.
H.E. Ali Mohamed Al Marzooqi stated that Abu Dhabi and South Korea continue to build upon a solid partnership anchored in innovation and investment, sharing a common vision for developing future-ready economies. He noted that the rapid progress both sides are achieving in artificial intelligence, healthcare, and advanced industries broadens the horizons for the business communities to enhance cooperation, exchange expertise, and develop solutions that support sustainable economic growth.
He added, "The cooperation agreement signed between Emirates Hospitals Group and Jaseng Medical Academy reflects the practical value of these business connect forums and their ability to elevate corporate relations from the exploratory phase to the establishment of specialized partnerships. We see vast potential for further collaboration in priority sectors, translating the robust ties between Abu Dhabi and South Korea into long-lasting business opportunities."
For his part, Jang Seok-min, Senior Executive Director of KITA, said, "Abu Dhabi represents a crucial economic partner for the Korean business community, offering a competitive business environment, advanced infrastructure, and promising opportunities in future-focused sectors. The Seoul-Abu Dhabi Business Connect forum provides companies from both sides with an invaluable opportunity for direct networking, identifying shared capabilities, and discussing concrete avenues for cooperation and investment."
He further noted, "The Republic of Korea and the UAE are continuously developing their economic partnership and expanding cooperation in promising sectors, most notably AI, infrastructure, and mobility. With the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) entering into force, both countries now have a solid institutional framework to deepen collaboration." He emphasized that the forum is a significant step toward turning this momentum into tangible trade deals, contracts, investments, and new success stories.
"We look forward to continuing our cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Chamber and supporting Korean companies and their Abu Dhabi counterparts in building long-term commercial ties and partnerships that bolster the economic links between the Republic of Korea and the UAE," he added.
Economic relations between the UAE and South Korea are experiencing sustained growth. Non-oil bilateral trade volume reached $4.8 billion during the first nine months of 2025, a 20% increase compared to the same period the previous year. Meanwhile, South Korean foreign direct investment in the UAE amounted to $1.5 billion in 2024.
At the emirate level, the number of Korean companies registered as members of the Abu Dhabi Chamber grew by 5.9% in 2025 compared to 2024. Similarly, the number of businesses with South Korean partners grew by 9.2%, reflecting the Korean business community's increasing interest in the opportunities Abu Dhabi offers.
During the event, Bing Hyun-ji, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade (KIET), delivered a presentation on the most promising areas for economic cooperation between Abu Dhabi and South Korea. This was followed by three hours of B2B meetings, bringing together participating companies from both sides in healthcare, AI, food and beverage, industrial zones, robotics, financial technology, and other fields of mutual interest.
The Abu Dhabi delegation included representatives from VIAI, Emirates Hospitals Group, Techno Exo, Seven Seas Group, Agthia Group, KEZAD Group, Droners Technologies and Robotics, Sarai AI Solutions, Aligned Edges, Procode Solutions Technology, Shashat Optoelectronics Manufacturing, and Lown.
The "Seoul-Abu Dhabi Business Connect" forum was held a day after the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum in Seoul, which was organized in partnership between the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM).