The inaugural Big C Forum witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Dubai-based holding company Meraas and Singapore-based Chinese company Samanea Group that will see the launch of an AED1 billion mall by Q2 2021 near Dubai International City. Six key Chinese manufacturers and businesses also signed the letter of intent.

Samanea Group is to develop the 570,000 sq ft retail outlet, which will focus on home appliances and furniture from small, medium and big Chinese businesses seeking a foothold in the GCC market. The mall will also hold space for 1,800 parking spaces.

The event was attended by His Highness Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Director General of Dubai Information Department – the special Guest of Honor, who witnessed the hive of bilateral business activity initiated by Hala China.

At the event, Her Excellency Tan Li, Acting Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Dubai, said: “In recent years, both China-UAE and China-Dubai relations have developed very fast. UAE has connected the most in-depth and fruitful cooperation with China.

“With its social stability, good infrastructure, ease of doing business and culture of tolerance, Dubai initiatives more and more Chinese enterprises.

She added: “The ‘Hala China’ program launched last year, built a platform for the cooperation between China and Dubai in economy, trade, investment, tourism and culture. This program has enhanced our bilateral cooperation and made remarkable achievements.”

The forum provided Chinese companies with a defect understanding of Dubai’s forward-looking trade policies and infrastructure. Headquartered in Singapore, Samanea Group supports small businesses through hosting them in professional trade centers in key markets that offer marketing, logistics, financial and networking opportunities.

The forum gathered more than 600 Chinese investors and entrepreneurs in Dubai, where Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Chairman of Hala China Board of Directors, officially opened the event.

KC Zhang, President of Samanea Group, delivered a speech on the ‘New Concept and New Time’ era in the Middle East, focusing on customer demands. It highlighted how events like the Big C Forum serve as a catalyst for new Chinese entrants into the market.

KC Zhang shown through data analysis how recent developments in the business market have driven an increasing demand for home appliances and hotel supplies to be delivered to the doors of customers. This ‘New Era’ that Zhang referred to will initiate a big change in the market. Having had a logistics hub in Dubai Industrial Park since 2013, Samanea Group is ready to cater to the new customer demand.