Under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ), in partnership with Forbes Middle East, is set to host the inaugural Future Growth Nexus Summit on November 23 at Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai.
Marking DAFZ’s 30th anniversary, the summit will bring together government representatives, global business leaders, investors and industry experts to discuss the evolving landscape of international trade, logistics and supply chain management. Key discussions will focus on emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, sustainability and economic policies shaping global business competitiveness and cross-border trade.
The event will feature 27 distinguished speakers, including Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade; Dr. Mohammed Alzarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ; and Amna Rashid Lootah, Director General of DAFZ. Senior industry representatives from leading international organisations will also participate, including Aziz Koleilat of GE Aerospace, Lisa Park of A.P. Moller–Maersk, Nabil Sultan of dnata and Amadou Diallo of Aramex, alongside executives from DHL Supply Chain, FedEx, Airbus, Thales and other prominent organisations.
The summit will serve as a platform for exploring strategies to build stronger, more adaptable and sustainable global trade networks. Its agenda will revolve around four major themes: future-ready logistics and supply chain resilience, sustainability and net-zero trade, digital transformation through AI and blockchain, and the role of investment and innovation in advancing international commerce.
Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi will deliver the opening keynote on smart trade policies and integrated economic zones, followed by Dr. Mohammed Alzarooni, who will highlight Dubai’s three-decade transformation into a major international trade and logistics hub.
Other sessions will explore the future of Middle Eastern aviation, emission reduction across transportation and warehousing, digital marketplaces, B2B e-commerce, robotics, artificial intelligence and predictive analytics. Discussions will also address investment opportunities, trade-related risks, insurance costs, market volatility and the growing role of SMEs and startups in integrated economic zones.
Amna Lootah highlighted DAFZ’s 30-year journey in creating a globally competitive business environment, facilitating international trade and supporting companies in expanding into new markets. She emphasised the importance of innovation, technology and strategic partnerships in strengthening Dubai’s global connectivity and advancing the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.
Khuloud Al Omian, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Middle East, noted that the summit would encourage meaningful discussions between policymakers, investors and business leaders, bringing together technology, capital and policy perspectives to develop a more connected, resilient and sustainable global trade ecosystem.
The event will also reflect on DAFZ’s achievements over the past three decades and its vision for the future, reinforcing its position as a key gateway connecting international businesses and markets.
Through this initiative, DAFZ and Forbes Middle East aim to encourage industry collaboration, develop innovative trade solutions and strengthen cross-border partnerships, further supporting Dubai’s ambition to become one of the world’s leading centres for global trade, logistics and investment.
