• Made For Trade Live roadshow visits Barcelona for the third time, strengthening ties
• DMCC showcases ease of doing business in its free zone in Dubai to over 150 business leaders
• Expo 2020 Dubai set to boost opportunities for Spanish firms

DMCC – the world’s flagship Free Zone and Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise – took its Made For Trade Live roadshow to Barcelona, Spain, on 21 February 2020. The event highlighted the commercial appeal of Dubai to Spanish firms looking to expand their business abroad.

Underpinning DMCC as one of the world’s most interconnected business districts and Dubai’s strategic geographical location, top DMCC executives briefed over 150 representatives of Spanish businesses on the ease of doing business in the emirate and within the DMCC free zone more specifically. The programme also saw a special note by a representative from the Spanish Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai who emphasised the benefits that the show will provide the Spanish business community in Dubai.

Held in partnership with Spanish business group Foment del Treball Nacional and banking group Banco Sabadell, this event represented the third roadshow to Spain, highlighting the country as an important market and trade partner for DMCC. This edition also received the support of Prodeca (Catalan Agrifood Exports Promotion Agency) and Il Lustre Collegi de L’Advocacia de Barcelona.

“Spain is undoubtedly an important market for DMCC as our two nations develop an even closer trading relationship. Sitting at the crossroads of the world, DMCC is eager to support Spanish businesses using Dubai as a launch pad to expand their enterprise globally into the Middle East, Africa or Asia. We see an increasing number of Spanish firms setting up in DMCC as more and more recognise the value that we offer to businesses of all sizes. Similarly, Spain is an important link to Europe and Latin America, which are two important growth markets for companies in our region,” said Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC.

Spain is one of Dubai’s top sources of foreign direct investments (FDI), currently accounting for 9% of the emirate’s FDI capital inflows. The top sectors seeing investments include construction, accommodation and food services, arts, entertainment and recreation, management of companies and enterprises, and retail and wholesale trade. Till date, Dubai has successfully served as a gateway for Spanish firms looking to gain easier access into Africa and Asia while Spain is a crucial link for Dubai into Europe and Latin America.

Albert Jové Franco, Vice Chairman, Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the UAE, added: “The global success of Spanish businesses is of the utmost importance. This is possible through hubs, like Dubai, that provide unparalleled access to some of the world’s fastest growing markets. As one of the best free and larger free zones in the UAE, partnering with DMCC is a solid step in supporting the economic growth of both regions.”

Adding to the list of world-class facilities and services offered by DMCC, the DMCC website was launched in Spanish in 2018 to further increase the ease of setting up a Spanish business in Dubai.

DMCC’s Made For Trade Live roadshow will visit South Africa later this year as well as five cities in India, and both San Francisco and Houston in the US.