The Vietnam–UAE Business Bridge, co-hosted by Ajman Free Zone (AFZ) and InnoLab Asia, concluded successfully with participation from high-level government representatives and more than 300 leaders from Vietnamese corporations and SMEs and launch a new platform to deepen bilateral trade ties.
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.
The event created a platform for Vietnamese entrepreneurs, investors, and business facilitators to explore the strategic advantages of choosing Ajman as a gateway to the UAE and broader Middle East markets.
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| Attendees at the Vietnam–UAE Business Bridge. Photo courtesy of InnoLab Asia |
A featured Fireside Chat offered insights into the UAE’s business ecosystem, with a focus on Ajman Free Zone’s role in global business expansion. Moderated by Huynh Cong Thang, Chairman & CEO of InnoLab Asia, the session included a conversation with H.E. Ismail AI Naqi, Director General of the Free Zones Authority of Ajman. Key topics included Ajman’s supportive regulatory environment, competitive business policies, and the UAE’s appeal as a destination for Vietnamese companies seeking global growth.
H.E. AI Naqi noted that since 2009, AFZ has aimed to create a secure, adaptable, and reliable business environment, supported by proactive government leadership. With a focus on globalization, equal access to capital, and diversified development, AFZ is working to build a “realistic and dynamic global business landscape.”
Looking ahead, he shared AFZ’s plan to maintain a competitive tax framework, enhance public service infrastructure, and support international companies entering the Middle East market.
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| Huynh Cong Thang (L), Chairman & CEO of InnoLab Asia, and H.E. Ismail AI Naqi (R), Director General of the Free Zones Authority of Ajman, exchanged gift and token as an act of appreciation and strategic collaboration. Photo courtesy of InnoLab Asia |
A key milestone of the event was the official launch of the Vietnam–UAE Trade & Investment Exchange (VUTIX), a platform initiated by InnoLab Asia to strengthen trade and investment links between the two countries.
VUTIX aims to become a leading platform for Vietnamese businesses seeking to expand into the UAE, Middle East, India, and North Africa. In the long term, the platform is expected to act as a strategic bridge for fostering bilateral growth and cooperation.
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| The Vietnam-UAE Trade & Investment Exchange’s Board of Director. Photo courtesy of InnoLab Asia |
The launch of VUTIX was marked by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing between InnoLab Asia and seven Vietnamese organizations: TV HUB, Young Businesspeople Association of Ho Chi Minh City (YBA HCM), Saigon Entrepreneur Magazine, JCI Vietnam – Business & Entrepreneurship, BigTreeX Joint Stock Company (F247), Lady Networking Group, and Vietnam Diversity Business Gateway. The agreement reflects a shared commitment to innovation, collaboration, and long-term economic development.
As the second-oldest free zone in the UAE and winner of the “Free Zone of the Year” award at the Enterprise Agility Awards 2024, Ajman Free Zone is positioned as a regional hub for international business. It offers favorable tax policies, modern infrastructure, and extensive support services. Over its 37-year history, AFZ has supported more than 20,000 businesses from 165 countries, reinforcing its role as a center for commercial activity in the Middle East.
InnoLab Asia plays a key role in supporting Vietnamese businesses as they expand internationally. With access to global networks and practical experience, the company provides advisory and operational services, including legal setup, holding company structuring, accounting, tax optimization, market entry into UAE/MENA, business matchmaking, real estate and capital investment (MENA-VN), and trade show participation.
