The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), a leading international business hub that plays a crucial role in facilitating global trade through Dubai, has announced that over 1,100 new companies joined its free zone during the first half of 2025. This brings the total number of registered businesses close to 26,000. Additionally, the DMCC’s Crypto Centre has made significant strides by surpassing 700 registered companies, experiencing an impressive annual growth rate of 38%, which increases the total number of tech firms under its umbrella to more than 3,300.
This growth has been driven by strong demand from key external markets such as China, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, as well as the introduction of new licensing options and business expansions in Asia. Strategic investments in specialized business ecosystems and the Centre’s property portfolio, within the framework of an ambitious ten-year growth strategy, have played a vital role in boosting momentum and expanding the base of registered companies. Simultaneously, expansions have continued in critical areas of the DMCC, such as the Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Uptown Dubai, with the launch of new major projects and the opening of premier dining and hospitality venues reflecting the aspirations of the global business community.
These results underscore the strength of the DMCC’s integrated business model, which combines operational efficiency, clarity, world-class infrastructure, and supportive ecosystems for business growth. With plans to expand into emerging sectors such as water technologies and quantum computing, the DMCC continues to serve as a key driver in diversifying Dubai’s economy, contributing around 15% of annual foreign direct investment and 7% of the emirate’s GDP.
On this occasion, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman of the DMCC, stated, “The addition of over 1,100 new companies during the first half of this year—supported strongly by vibrant markets in China, Turkey, and the UK—solidifies the DMCC’s position as a global business environment characterized by attractiveness and innovation, bringing us closer to reaching the milestone of 26,000 registered companies. This sustained growth reflects the unique strengths offered by the DMCC and the increasing global reputation of Dubai as a preferred destination for investment and ambitious enterprises. Amidst the rapid transformations driven by the remarkable surge in artificial intelligence and modern technologies, we are strengthening our leadership by focusing on fast-growing sectors and expanding our comprehensive ecosystem of services and state-of-the-art infrastructure to support new waves of innovative investments. As we embrace future technologies alongside traditional goods, the DMCC remains the primary choice and optimal platform for companies looking to grow and thrive with confidence and capability.”
Ferial Ahmadi, the Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer of the DMCC, added, “The results from the first half of the year represent our steadfast commitment to building highly efficient integrated business ecosystems that provide tangible commercial and operational value to our registered companies. From real estate to technology and trade, we have designed every corner of our free zone to align with global market aspirations and respond to their rapid changes, making these results a testament to our vision’s success. As we move into the second half of the year, we continue to expand our services and develop our infrastructure rapidly, unlocking new horizons for growth and innovation across various sectors.”
Exceptional Growth in the Technology Ecosystem
The integrated technology ecosystem at the DMCC continues to achieve remarkable milestones during the first half of 2025, with unprecedented growth rates. The Crypto Centre exceeded 700 companies, seeing a notable annual growth of 38%, fueled by the arrival of renowned global firms such as Bitcoin.com and Animoca, both of which have chosen to open their first regional offices within the DMCC. The e-gaming sector has also experienced significant growth, with the number of companies under its umbrella rising to over 140. Meanwhile, the AI Centre, launched last September, has seen accelerated growth, now hosting more than 110 companies specializing in artificial intelligence and future technologies. This brings the total number of licensed companies across these three centers to nearly 1,000, while the total number of tech firms registered at the DMCC exceeds 3,300. These achievements reinforce the DMCC’s position as a global hub for Web 3.0 and emerging technologies.
In response to the rapid growth and increasing global interest in the Web 3.0 business community within the DMCC, the Centre, in partnership with RED Development, announced in January the launch of the “Crypto Tower,” a 17-story architectural marvel in the heart of Jumeirah Lakes Towers. The tower will offer a range of advanced facilities and services for Centre members, including nine floors dedicated to offices, three floors for blockchain incubators, an AI innovation floor, a crypto club, a gold bullion shop, and secure storage areas.
As part of its ambitious strategies to enhance the innovation ecosystem, the DMCC also unveiled plans to launch its new “Quantum” initiative, aimed at supporting and accelerating innovation in the era of quantum computing, while establishing Dubai as a global gateway to this advanced sector.
Notable Achievements in the Commodities Sector: Record Coffee Prices, Leadership in Diamond Trading, and Innovative Water Technologies
The DMCC has recorded remarkable achievements in the commodities sector during the first half of 2025, reinforcing Dubai’s position on the global trade map. The Dubai Diamond Exchange, the largest of its kind globally with over 1,350 leading companies, welcomed a historic visit from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister. This visit coincided with the announcement that the value of diamond trade in the UAE has surpassed one billion carats over the past five years, further establishing Dubai as a global capital for diamond trading.
The first specialized coffee auction organized by the DMCC at the World of Coffee exhibition in February showcased some of the rarest and finest coffee varieties worldwide, achieving unprecedented record prices, including the highest-priced coffee from Finca Sophia in Panama, sold for $10,020 per kilogram.
As part of its continuous efforts to innovate in the commodities sector, the DMCC announced a strategic partnership with Aqua Index to support the launch of the world’s first water-backed digital token, opening new horizons for the water sector by establishing a new water center that will serve as a leading platform for innovation, investment, and sustainable trade in this vital field.
Growing Global Demand and Strengthening International Market Relations
The DMCC continues to affirm its position as a global hub attracting international investments, with a strong influx of companies from key external markets during the first half of 2025. Registrations from British companies rose significantly by over 23% year-on-year, bringing the number of registered British firms close to 2,200. Turkey also maintained strong annual growth rates of 22%, with the number of Turkish companies under DMCC’s umbrella approaching 700, while the count of Chinese companies grew nearly 10%, reaching approximately 1,000. To enhance relationships with the vital Chinese market, the DMCC forged strategic partnerships in February with Beijing Daxing District and Chaoyang District of Beijing to stimulate trade exchange and business integration with China.
Expanding Licensing Options and Strengthening Presence in Southeast Asia
The DMCC continued to solidify its international presence and accelerate its growth by introducing two new categories of licenses for special purpose companies and holding companies, providing firms with greater flexibility in structuring investments, managing assets, and overseeing regional operations. These new licenses have garnered significant interest from family offices, investment firms, and multinational corporations seeking to enter the UAE market and benefit from the leading business environment the DMCC offers. As part of its regional expansion strategy, the DMCC announced the appointment of Hawksford as its international sales partner in Singapore, which will contribute to more in-depth and effective support for regional businesses.
Launching Integrated Real Estate Projects and Opening World-Class Hospitality Destinations
The DMCC continues to enhance its advanced urban environment in response to the growing demand from companies and individuals, reinforcing its position as a comprehensive and multifunctional urban area in the heart of Dubai.
In “Uptown Dubai,” the new dynamic area under the DMCC, construction has commenced, and the main contractor has been engaged to complete two new commercial towers, adding approximately 62,000 square meters of premium-grade office space, directly connected to Uptown Plaza, which combines modernity with a vibrant global character. In the residential sector, construction has started on the “Mercer House” project, featuring two luxurious twin towers by Ellington Properties, providing residents with a high-end lifestyle and facilities for a healthy lifestyle, including the first private beach club in downtown Dubai. In enhancing the hospitality experience, the entertainment district “The Atrium” has seen the launch of several new distinguished venues, including Uptown Social, a specialty café, and the upscale Turkish restaurant “Sur Dubai,” which offers exquisite Mediterranean seafood dishes.
In Jumeirah Lakes Towers, the main multifunctional area under the DMCC, construction has begun on the “W Residences” project by Marriott International, a luxury residential tower consisting of 38 stories and comprising around 185 upscale residential units, as part of a comprehensive urban development plan that includes the launch and execution of 19 new major projects in both the Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Uptown Dubai areas over the past two years.
Sustaining Strong Momentum to Continue Success in 2024
The record results achieved by the DMCC during the first half of 2025 reflect its ongoing strong momentum, building on the successes of 2024, when the Centre attracted 2,048 new companies and launched the “Sustainability Platform” as a leading initiative to promote sustainable development, in addition to expanding its international presence through strategic partnerships worldwide. With its base of registered companies broadening and its strategic partnerships growing, alongside the development of ambitious construction project portfolios, the DMCC enters the second half of 2025 with significant momentum focused on accelerating growth in advanced technology sectors and sustainable trade, reinforcing its position as a premier global trade hub that meets the aspirations of investors and entrepreneurs around the world.