Vietnam - UAE Business Bridge: Unlocking opportunities with Ajman Free Zone

The Vietnam–UAE Business Bridge, a high-level networking and investment promotion event co-hosted by Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) and InnoLab Asia, wrapped up successfully this week, attracting over 300 business leaders and senior officials from both countries. The event served as a platform to deepen bilateral ties and spotlight Ajman as a launchpad for Vietnamese firms eyeing expansion in the UAE and the broader Middle East.

Opening remarks were delivered by H.E. Dr. Bader Almatrooshi, UAE Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Vietnam, and H.E. Ismail Al Naqi, Director General of the Free Zones Authority of Ajman. Their speeches underscored the growing momentum in bilateral relations and the UAE's readiness to welcome more Vietnamese investment.

Ajman Free Zone, one of the UAE’s longest-standing and most innovative economic zones, currently supports over 20,000 businesses operating across more than 3,500 activities. Known for its customizable infrastructure, the zone offers warehouse and office solutions tailored to individual business needs. Its digital-first approach, featuring virtual offices and a one-click licensing model, empowers startups to launch with minimal overhead, enabling them to test new markets and scale without requiring a permanent physical footprint.

Its key benefits include 100 per cent foreign ownership, a business-friendly tax regime (0 per cent personal income tax, 9 per cent corporate tax, and VAT exemptions in designated zones), and proximity to Dubai International Airport, just a 20-minute drive away. These advantages are increasingly appealing to Vietnamese founders pursuing global expansion.

Ms. An Tran, Senior Channel Account Officer at Ajman Free Zone, delivered a compelling presentation on why the UAE, and AFZ in particular, has become a hub for international entrepreneurs, especially from Vietnam. She emphasized AFZ’s efficiency, noting: “While it may take 2–3 days elsewhere, AFZ can issue a license in just 2 hours, and residency processes take only 5–7 days.”

She also highlighted the journeys of two notable Vietnamese entrepreneurs: Anh Thu, who exports specialty roast coffee, and Lyly Nguyen, founder of the Vietnamese Foodies restaurant chain, now operating eight successful branches in Dubai.

A central feature of the event was the roundtable discussion titled “Two-Way Market Access – Vietnam & UAE,” moderated by Ms. Linh Hoang, CEO of Lead The Change. The session featured insights from Mr. Quang Pham (General Partner & Executive Investment Committee, ABB Private Equity), Mr. Lam Ngoc Cuong (Chairman, Jemmia Diamond), and H.E. Ismail Al Naqi.

Speakers agreed that although Vietnam boasts strong export performance, its long-term influence is constrained by limited brand recognition and localized engagement in foreign markets. “To win the market, you need to be in the market,” said Mr. Quang, advocating for businesses to move beyond an export-only mindset. Mr. Cuong echoed the sentiment, stressing the value of brand-building and local adaptation. Meanwhile, H.E. Al Naqi pointed to the UAE’s streamlined legal framework and investor-friendly environment, urging Vietnamese companies to “act, not just talk.”

The event concluded with the official launch of the Vietnam–UAE Trade & Investment Exchange (VUTIX), an initiative by InnoLab Asia designed to strengthen bilateral economic ties and support cross-border collaboration between the two dynamic economies.

 

For more information:

InnoLab Asia

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