Dubai hosted one of the UAE’s prominent inter-business council networking initiatives, bringing together 20 Business Councils from Dubai and the Northern Emirates for The BIG Inter-Council Networking Night 2026.
The event brought together business leaders, investors, decision-makers and professionals from a wide range of industries, creating a platform to strengthen commercial relationships, exchange knowledge and explore new opportunities for trade, investment and cross-border collaboration.
The initiative came as the UAE continued to strengthen its position as a global hub for business, trade and investment. Business Councils played an important role in this ecosystem by connecting the private sector with international business communities, government stakeholders and industry leaders, while facilitating market access, trade promotion and long-term partnerships.
By bringing 20 Business Councils together under one platform, the event highlighted the growing importance of collaboration between different national and industry communities. The initiative provided businesses with opportunities to expand their networks, share expertise, identify potential partners and explore new avenues for sustainable growth.
Bulgarian Business Council: Strengthening Bulgaria-UAE Business and Tourism Relations
Among the participating councils was the Bulgarian Business Council Dubai, led by Milo Borissov, President of the Bulgarian Business Council Dubai, who highlighted the importance of initiatives that brought different business communities together.
Borissov said:
“Events such as The BIG Inter-Council Networking Night provided an important platform for bringing business communities closer together and creating meaningful connections that extended beyond individual sectors. Dubai had built a truly international and diverse business environment, and initiatives that brought different Business Councils together could open the door to new partnerships, ideas and commercial opportunities. We were pleased to be part of this important gathering and looked forward to further strengthening the relationship between the Bulgarian business community and the wider UAE business ecosystem.”
Borissov also highlighted the importance of Bulgaria’s participation in Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai, describing the event as a major international platform for promoting Bulgaria as a tourism destination and strengthening connections between the Bulgarian and UAE travel and tourism sectors.
He invited business leaders, tourism professionals, travel industry representatives and visitors to explore Bulgaria’s participation at the exhibition and discover the country’s tourism offerings and opportunities for cooperation.
Visitors were invited to meet the Bulgarian delegation at: Middle East Hall –Stand ME0200- Dubai World Trade Centre
Bulgaria’s participation in Arabian Travel Market provided an opportunity to showcase the country’s diverse tourism offering while creating new connections with travel companies, investors, hospitality businesses and tourism professionals from the UAE and international markets.
Australian Business Council: Building Practical Pathways for UAE-Australia Partnerships
Also participating in the initiative was the Australian Business Council Dubai, which played a practical role in strengthening the strategic economic relationship between Australia and the UAE by connecting businesses, investors, government stakeholders and industry leaders.
Ms. Emily Slatter, General Manager of the Australian Business Council Dubai, said:
“The Australian Business Council Dubai played a practical role in deepening the strategic partnership between Australia and the UAE. By bringing together businesses, investors, government stakeholders and industry leaders, the Australian Business Council helped translate shared ambition into commercial opportunities.”
She added:
“Our role was to create trusted connections and help Australian companies understand and enter the Dubai market. We provided advocacy, introductions and a platform for collaboration across priority sectors including trade, investment, innovation, hospitality, technology, tourism, education and professional services.”
Slatter noted that Business Councils also served as an important bridge between the private sector and government by communicating the needs and perspectives of their members, encouraging transparent and enabling business conditions, and supporting policies that allowed companies in both markets to grow, invest and create jobs.
“Ultimately, mutual economic growth was built on relationships, confidence and long-term partnerships. The Australian Business Council was committed to strengthening those foundations, supporting two-way trade and investment, sharing expertise, and helping Australian businesses succeed in an increasingly connected global economy.”
Looking ahead, the Australian Business Council Dubai said it would continue to support practical pathways for two-way trade, investment and market access under the Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Its agenda included major community and business events such as the AFL Grand Final and the Australia Ball, alongside close collaboration with the Australian Embassy and State Trade Offices on initiatives related to CEPA.
Slatter added that the Council would continue working to help Australian businesses establish and grow in Dubai, while connecting UAE businesses and investors with opportunities across Australia.
A Platform for Stronger Business Connections
The BIG Inter-Council Networking Night 2026 provided an important platform for direct engagement between Business Councils, companies, investors and business leaders, encouraging new conversations and creating opportunities for strategic partnerships.
The participation of 20 Business Councils in a single networking initiative also reflected the growing role of inter-council cooperation in strengthening the UAE’s internationally connected private-sector ecosystem.
By bringing together diverse nationalities, industries and business communities, the initiative encouraged knowledge exchange, facilitated new commercial relationships and supported greater trade, investment and entrepreneurship.
The event further reinforced Dubai’s role as a global meeting point for international business communities and highlighted the contribution of Business Councils in building stronger economic links between the UAE and markets around the world.