Jakarta - The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), in collaboration with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Jakarta and the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), held a business seminar titled Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Business in Dubai at The Langham Hotel, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (August 12, 2025).

The event aimed to open up new market opportunities for Indonesian businesses particularly the younger generation by expanding exports and leveraging Dubai as an international trade hub.

Juan Permata Adoe, Vice Chairman for Export Development at Kadin Indonesia, emphasized that the chamber’s upcoming leadership term will focus on boosting exports to a wider range of destination countries.

“So far, our approach has been quite conventional, with the majority of exports going to China, India, Pakistan, Japan, and to some extent, the United States. We need new breakthroughs. Dubai can serve as a gateway to the European market, other countries, and even Africa,” said Juan.

According to him, several sectors hold promising export potential in Dubai, including digital technology, the automotive industry, international commodity distribution, and acting as a transit hub for African products entering Indonesia.

Juan also noted that Dubai offers a supportive funding ecosystem, particularly for publicly listed companies and startups.

“They see strong potential. Our startups are contributing significantly, and business ties with Dubai must continue to be nurtured,” he added.

Juan also highlighted significant opportunities in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), the automotive sector—including electric vehicles (EVs) and charging stations and the development of a battery ecosystem.

“AI is crucial for Indonesia, and we can learn directly from Dubai without going too far. In the automotive sector, EV charging infrastructure is growing rapidly there. We can collaborate just like Astra is doing in the EV industry. Vietnam has succeeded; why can’t we?” Juan remarked.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and CEO of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), stated that Dubai and Jakarta share many similarities as dynamic trade and logistics hubs. According to him, both cities are supported by their strategic geographical locations, economic diversification, and world-class infrastructure.

“Dubai sits at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa, while Jakarta, as the commercial center of the world’s fourth most populous nation, plays a critical role in the Southeast Asian supply chain. Indonesia itself is a major force in global commodity trade,” said Ahmed.

Additionally, Abdulla Salem AlDhaheri, the UAE Ambassador to Indonesia and ASEAN, said the event was more than just a meeting it was a gateway to understanding, exploring, and experiencing the opportunities available in Dubai.

“I hope this seminar sparks interest in exploring business opportunities in Dubai more deeply. I encourage participants to consider establishing, running, and growing their businesses in Dubai especially with the support of DMCC,” he stated.

For context, DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) is a free trade zone established by the Government of Dubai in 2002. DMCC focuses on the trade of commodities such as gold, diamonds, precious metals, tea, and grains. It is also recognized as one of the fastest-growing free zones in the United Arab Emirates.