Dubai, UAE: IFZA and the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce (AHK) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reinforcing their shared commitment to strengthening business relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Federal Republic of Germany through enhanced business engagement, knowledge exchange and strategic collaboration.
The MoU was signed by Jochen Knecht, Chief Executive Officer of IFZA, and Dr. Martin Henkelmann, Chief Executive Officer of AHK, during the AHK Directors’ Roundtable at IFZA’s Novecento.
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the two organisations across joint events, strategic initiatives and partnership programmes designed to support business development and foster meaningful engagement between German, Emirati and international companies.
The partnership reflects a shared objective to create opportunities for knowledge exchange, facilitate market access and strengthen commercial ties between Germany and the UAE, while supporting businesses seeking to expand internationally.
“Germany remains one of the UAE’s most important economic partners, and we see significant opportunities to further strengthen collaboration between our business communities. Through this agreement with AHK, we are creating a framework that will help connect companies, facilitate knowledge exchange and support sustainable growth across both markets. Partnerships such as this play an important role in building bridges for international business and creating long-term value for entrepreneurs and investors.”
Chief Executive Officer of IFZA
The signing builds on a longstanding relationship between IFZA and AHK, with the two organisations having collaborated on more than 20 business initiatives to date.
“German companies have developed a strong presence in the UAE, drawn by its strategic location, strong economic growth and business-friendly environment. As AHK, we serve as the central platform for the German-Emirati economic relations, connecting businesses, enabling investment, and facilitating market entry. Through the MoU, we are delighted to enhance our partnership with IFZA paving the path for even more bilateral business relations. We look forward to working closely with IFZA to translate this partnership into measurable impact.”
CEO of the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Commerce (AHK)
The AHK Directors’ Roundtable brought together senior business leaders, policymakers and industry experts to discuss the evolving economic relationship between Germany and the UAE, as well as key trends shaping future growth opportunities.
During the event, Holger Schlechter, Chief Financial Officer of IFZA, highlighted the organisation’s role in supporting international businesses seeking to establish and expand their presence in the UAE and across the wider Middle East, reinforcing IFZA’s commitment to connecting European companies with regional growth opportunities.
During the programme, Janina Hasse-Mohsine, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy in the UAE, highlighted the continued strengthening of bilateral economic relations, underscoring the UAE’s growing investments in Germany, increasing connectivity between the two countries and the importance of long-term partnerships in an increasingly dynamic global environment.
Attendees also heard from Dr. Maxime Clemenceau, Director and Economics & Sustainability Advisor at PwC Middle East, who shared insights into the economic outlook for the GCC region. He noted the resilience of regional economies and highlighted the strong performance of non-oil sectors despite broader global economic challenges.
The discussion also explored the rapid growth of artificial intelligence adoption across the GCC, with speakers emphasising that successful implementation, workforce readiness and measurable business outcomes will be key to translating technological advancements into long-term economic value.
The event concluded with a networking event following the official MoU signing ceremony, marking a new chapter in the partnership between IFZA and AHK and reaffirming both organisations’ commitment to supporting stronger economic, trade and investment ties between Germany and the UAE.
