(Yicai) Dec. 11 -- Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, can serve as a launchpad for Chinese firms seeking to enter a larger regional market, and the two sides have a strong foundation for cooperation based on shared values, according to Khaled Al Fahim, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Family Business Council.

“Abu Dhabi is within four hours of at least eight hundred million people, so we are a window to a massive market,” Al Fahim told Yicai during the Abu Dhabi Finance Week, which ends today. “We are operating in Africa a lot through the Abu Dhabi ecosystem, and that could be a good starting point for a lot of Chinese companies that are interested in moving or expanding in the region.”

Established in 1958, AlFahim Group is one of the UAE’s most successful family businesses, with operations spanning automotive, real estate, energy, and travel, according to the company’s website.

The number of Chinese companies setting up in Abu Dhabi this year has increased 60 percent from last year, according to Al Fahim, who is also a board member of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. AlFahim Group, along with other local family businesses, is partnering with Chinese firms and helping them expand into the region, he noted.

China is making significant efforts in research and development and has made progress in sectors such as healthcare, agricultural technology, mobility, and fintech, while Abu Dhabi can offer capital, infrastructure, and energy, creating a wide range of collaboration opportunities, Al Fahim suggested.

“We have a lot of similarities when it comes to interest legacy, building long-term relationships, and building trust. So we have a lot of common values that we can build on together with our Chinese partners,” he said.

“We encourage Chinese companies to find the right partner, because it is a great time and great opportunity to grow beyond the region and get into different markets together,” he emphasized.

Editors: Dou Shicong, Emmi Laine