Abu Dhabi is strengthening its economic relationship with the Republic of Korea, with a high-level business delegation advancing cooperation across finance, artificial intelligence, healthcare, gaming, advanced technology and investment.
Led by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the delegation brought together government entities, investors and private-sector companies from both markets. The visit focused on turning existing economic ties into more direct commercial partnerships.
The programme included investment forums, business matchmaking sessions and new agreements involving some of Abu Dhabi’s biggest economic institutions.
Abu Dhabi Expands Economic Engagement With South Korea
The Abu Dhabi delegation represented a broad cross-section of the emirate’s economy. Participants included institutions operating in financial services, industrial development, aviation, artificial intelligence, investment, clean energy and startup development.
The scale of the delegation reflected Abu Dhabi’s wider approach to South Korea. Rather than concentrating on a single sector, officials and business leaders explored opportunities across several industries where both economies already have strong capabilities.
Trade between the UAE and South Korea has also continued to grow. That provides a stronger commercial base for both sides to pursue new investments, technology partnerships and business expansion.
Abu Dhabi Investment Forum Seoul Creates New Opportunities
The Abu Dhabi Investment Forum Seoul became one of the central events during the visit. The forum connected Korean investors and companies with Abu Dhabi institutions, giving businesses a closer look at opportunities available across the emirate.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Office, or ADIO, used the event to expand cooperation with major Korean companies. Agreements were reached with Hashed, Hanwha Life and Kakao Games, covering areas such as investment, digital finance, gaming and international expansion.
The forum also gave Korean companies direct access to Abu Dhabi’s broader business ecosystem. That includes financial services, technology infrastructure, industrial zones and government-backed investment initiatives.
ADIO Strengthens Links With Korean Investors
ADIO’s agreement with Hashed is expected to support Korean companies and investors looking at opportunities in Abu Dhabi. The partnership will focus on market access, investment connections and deeper engagement between the two ecosystems.
Hashed has built a presence in technology and digital investment, making the partnership relevant to Abu Dhabi’s expanding digital economy. The agreement could also help Korean startups and institutional investors better understand the opportunities available in the UAE.
For Abu Dhabi, attracting more Korean technology and investment firms supports the emirate’s push to diversify its economy beyond traditional sectors.
Hanwha Life Partnership Targets Digital Finance
Financial technology also featured prominently during the delegation’s visit.
ADIO and Hanwha Life agreed to explore new opportunities in digital finance, capital markets and financial innovation. Areas under consideration include digital assets and the tokenisation of real-world assets.
The partnership reflects the growing overlap between traditional finance and emerging digital infrastructure. Abu Dhabi has been investing heavily in both areas, particularly through its financial ecosystem centred around Abu Dhabi Global Market.
Closer cooperation with Hanwha Life could also create additional links between Korean financial institutions and Abu Dhabi-based companies.
Kakao Games Explores Abu Dhabi Expansion
Gaming became another area of cooperation through an agreement involving ADIO and Kakao Games.
The two sides will explore how Abu Dhabi could support the South Korean company’s international expansion. Discussions include publishing, localisation and live gaming operations.
Abu Dhabi has been developing its gaming and creative industries alongside its broader technology economy. Bringing an established Korean gaming company into that ecosystem could support talent development, regional publishing and new commercial opportunities.
For Kakao Games, Abu Dhabi could also serve as a base for reaching audiences across the Middle East and nearby markets.
Presight Expands AI and Smart City Partnerships
Artificial intelligence was another major part of the Korea visit.
Abu Dhabi-based Presight signed agreements with the Gyeonggido Business & Science Accelerator and Dtonic Corporation. The partnerships focus on areas such as startup development, investment connections, artificial intelligence and smart city infrastructure.
Presight’s cooperation with Dtonic is particularly focused on AI-powered data platforms and smart city applications. The companies will explore how Dtonic’s technology could support Presight projects and other data-driven initiatives.
The collaboration highlights how Abu Dhabi and South Korea are looking beyond conventional trade. Technology development and the commercial deployment of AI are becoming more important parts of their economic relationship.
ADGM Deepens Financial Cooperation With Korean Institutions
Abu Dhabi Global Market also strengthened its ties with Korean financial institutions during the delegation’s visit.
ADGM renewed its partnership with Hanwha Finance for Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2026. It also entered cooperation with Hanwha Asset Management and Hana Financial Group.
The discussions cover digital assets, stablecoins, cross-border payments and other areas of financial innovation.
These partnerships could give Korean institutions stronger access to Abu Dhabi’s international financial centre while creating new opportunities for UAE-based firms looking toward Asian markets.
Digital Assets Become Part of the Abu Dhabi-Korea Agenda
Blockchain and digital asset infrastructure also emerged as areas of cooperation.
Further Asset Management and Four Pillars signed a memorandum of understanding focused on institutional blockchain adoption. Their collaboration will explore compliant infrastructure for digital assets and blockchain-based financial services.
The focus is on institutional use rather than consumer-focused cryptocurrency activity. This aligns with Abu Dhabi’s wider approach to developing regulated digital asset markets.
As financial institutions experiment with tokenisation and blockchain technology, partnerships between UAE and Korean firms could become more important.
Business Matchmaking Connects UAE and Korean Companies
The Seoul-Abu Dhabi Business Matchmaking Forum gave companies from both markets a chance to hold direct discussions.
Representatives from dozens of Abu Dhabi and Korean businesses participated in meetings covering healthcare, artificial intelligence, robotics, fintech, food and beverage and industrial development.
The sessions were designed to move beyond broad government cooperation and create business-to-business opportunities.
One of the outcomes involved Emirates Hospitals Group and Jaseng Medical Academy. Their partnership will support cooperation in non-surgical spine and joint care while also encouraging the exchange of medical expertise.
Healthcare Cooperation Adds Another Dimension
Healthcare was not the largest part of the delegation’s programme, but it showed how broad the Abu Dhabi-Korea relationship has become.
The agreement between Emirates Hospitals Group and Jaseng Medical Academy creates opportunities for medical knowledge exchange and specialised treatment collaboration.
South Korea has developed a strong reputation in medical technology and healthcare services. Abu Dhabi, meanwhile, continues to invest in expanding specialised healthcare capabilities.
Partnerships between providers from both markets could support new treatment options while encouraging investment in healthcare technology and clinical expertise.
Korean Business Presence in Abu Dhabi Continues to Grow
The visit came as Korean commercial activity in Abu Dhabi continues to expand.
According to Abu Dhabi Chamber figures, the number of Korean companies registered with the chamber increased during 2025. Businesses with Korean partners also recorded growth.
That trend suggests economic ties are already moving beyond government agreements.
More Korean companies are exploring Abu Dhabi as a location for regional operations, while UAE organisations are building stronger links with Korean investors, manufacturers and technology companies.
Industrial Cooperation Could Become More Important
Advanced manufacturing remains another significant opportunity.
Abu Dhabi and South Korea have previously discussed cooperation across artificial intelligence, biotechnology, digital content, energy and advanced manufacturing. Plans for a dedicated industrial zone supporting Korean manufacturers have also formed part of wider discussions between the two sides.
Such a development would strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a manufacturing and logistics hub.
It could also make the emirate more attractive to Korean companies looking for production bases close to Middle Eastern, African and South Asian markets.
What the Partnership Means for Abu Dhabi’s Business Ecosystem
The Korea visit matters because it connects several parts of Abu Dhabi’s economic strategy at once.
Financial institutions can access ADGM. Technology companies can connect with Abu Dhabi’s AI and startup ecosystem. Manufacturers can explore industrial zones, while global firms can use the emirate as a regional base.
The free zone and economic zone ecosystem also stands to benefit. More Korean companies entering Abu Dhabi could increase demand for company formation, office space, industrial facilities and professional services.
That creates opportunities well beyond the companies directly involved in the new agreements.
Abu Dhabi and Korea Move Toward More Practical Cooperation
The delegation did not produce one single headline deal. Instead, it created a series of partnerships across several industries.
That could prove more meaningful over time.
Finance, AI, gaming, healthcare, blockchain and advanced manufacturing are now moving deeper into the Abu Dhabi-Korea economic relationship. The next stage will depend on how many of those agreements turn into operating businesses, investment flows and real projects.
For Abu Dhabi, the direction is clear. South Korea is becoming a more important partner in the emirate’s push to build a diversified, technology-driven economy.
Sources
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM):
https://www.adgm.com/media/announcements/led-by-abu-dhabi-chamber-delegation-from-the-emirate-advances-economic-cooperation-with-republic-of-korea-across-priority-sectors
Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry:
https://www.abudhabichamber.ae/
Abu Dhabi Media Office:
https://www.mediaoffice.abudhabi/