Dubai: The Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF) and Buimerc Corporation Ltd have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to strengthen investment, innovation and entrepreneurship ties between the UAE and India, with a focus on expanding Dubai’s venture capital ecosystem.

The agreement was signed at the Consulate General of India in Dubai in the presence of India’s Ambassador to the UAE, Dr. Deepak Mittal; Consul General of India in Dubai, Dr. E. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy; and other dignitaries.

The partnership aims to explore opportunities for collaboration through knowledge-sharing, market insights and initiatives that help founders and venture capital managers establish a presence in Dubai. The organisations also plan to explore joint programmes for entrepreneurs, business delegations and ecosystem-building events.

The collaboration reflects the growing economic relationship between the UAE and India and aligns with Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the emirate’s economy and position Dubai among the world’s top three global cities for investment, living and working.

Strengthening Dubai’s Venture Capital Ecosystem

Dubai has increasingly emerged as a preferred destination for Indian entrepreneurs, investors and fund managers seeking international growth opportunities. The partnership brings together the complementary expertise and networks of both organisations to support this trend.

DFDF, Dubai’s venture capital fund of funds, plays a central role in developing the emirate’s investment ecosystem in line with the D33 agenda. Buimerc Corporation, a Dubai-based investment company with Indian roots, brings extensive knowledge of both markets and a long-term approach to investment and value creation.

Through their cooperation, the organisations intend to strengthen connections between founders, investors and venture capital funds in the UAE and India while supporting sustainable growth in Dubai’s innovation economy.

India’s Ambassador to the UAE, Dr. Deepak Mittal, welcomed the agreement, saying it would further strengthen the strong and dynamic relationship between the two countries by encouraging greater collaboration in venture capital and creating new opportunities for cross-border investment and innovation.

Dr. E. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, Consul General of India in Dubai, said the partnership would open new avenues for technology and innovation cooperation between India and the UAE. He noted that it would help Indian startups access the UAE’s venture capital ecosystem while promoting collaboration among entrepreneurs and investors in both countries.

Leaders Highlight Long-Term Opportunities

His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, Chairman of Dubai Future District Fund and Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Future Foundation, said innovation was becoming an increasingly important pillar of the UAE-India partnership.

He highlighted Dubai’s ambition under the D33 agenda to attract ambitious founders, investors and innovative ideas from around the world, adding that long-term partnerships such as the one with Buimerc would contribute to building a stronger venture capital ecosystem for future generations.

His Excellency Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, said Dubai had strengthened its global position by building lasting connections between economies, capital and business opportunities.

He noted that the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) had spent more than two decades strengthening business and investment connections with India. The collaboration with Buimerc, he said, would create new opportunities for Indian founders and investors to establish businesses in Dubai, expand internationally and contribute to economic growth in both countries.

Nader Albastaki, Managing Director of Dubai Future District Fund, said the partnership reflected a shared commitment to building Dubai’s venture capital ecosystem through long-term relationships rather than short-term transactions.

He added that Buimerc’s understanding of the UAE and Indian markets, combined with DFDF’s network of fund managers and founders across Dubai, would help more ambitious companies establish a presence in the emirate.

Siddharth Balachandran, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Buimerc Corporation, said Indian entrepreneurs were building innovative technology companies, while Dubai had become an important gateway to regional and international markets.

He said Buimerc was proud to partner with DFDF to advance the venture capital ecosystem envisioned under the D33 agenda and strengthen the longstanding economic and strategic relationship between the UAE and India.

The agreement is expected to provide a platform for further cooperation between the two countries’ startup and investment communities, supporting cross-border opportunities and reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for entrepreneurship, technology and innovation.