Illinois, UAE Leaders Convene in Rosemont to Strengthen Innovation and Investment Ties (Rosemont, IL) – Business and government leaders from Illinois and the United Arab Emirates gathered this week near O’Hare International Airport to explore expanding economic and innovation partnerships between the two regions.
The event, hosted at the Hyatt Centric Chicago O’Hare, featured a panel titled “From Incubation to Global Expansion: Building an Illinois–Abu Dhabi Corridor.” Organized by the Illinois Association for Global Trade (IAGT) alongside partners from the UAE Embassy’s Trade and Investment Office, the discussion highlighted opportunities for collaboration in technology, infrastructure and global investment.
Karim Gamal, executive director of the UAE Trade and Investment Office in Washington, D.C., emphasized the scale and long-term vision of UAE investment in the United States.
“The strength of U.S.–UAE relations lies in our commitment to long-term partnership—one that drives meaningful collaboration and supports innovation,” Gamal said, noting the UAE has invested roughly $1 trillion in the U.S. and plans to invest an additional $1.4 trillion over the next decade in sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and energy.
State Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin) pointed to Illinois’ recent trade mission to Abu Dhabi and Dubai as a foundation for continued cooperation, particularly in sustainability and infrastructure.
“We saw a deep commitment to innovation, investment and collaboration,” Moeller said. “There is a real opportunity for Illinois businesses to expand globally while strengthening partnerships that benefit both regions.”
Panelists also included leaders from academia and the private sector, such as the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center, Chicago-based incubator 2112, and Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem Hub71. Discussions focused on fostering startup growth, advancing research commercialization and creating pathways for cross-border entrepreneurship.
Isra Omar of the Polsky Center highlighted efforts to connect academic research with industry applications, while Scott Fetters of 2112 pointed to Chicago’s intersection of technology and creative industries as a model for international collaboration.
Participants emphasized that sustained engagement, knowledge sharing and joint ventures will be key to building a long-term innovation corridor between Illinois and the UAE.
Beyond the panel, the UAE delegation met with Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Michael McMurray to discuss opportunities to enhance logistics and operations at O’Hare and Midway airports. With direct flights operated by Emirates and Etihad Airways, officials noted Chicago’s role as a major gateway for international business and travel.
The visit also included a working lunch with regional leaders, including State Rep. Justin Slaughter and Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon, focused on identifying next steps to deepen economic ties.
Organizers said the discussions underscored shared priorities in sectors such as climate technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence, signaling a continued push to expand investment and collaboration between Illinois and the UAE.
Illinois, UAE Leaders Convene in Rosemont to Strengthen Innovation and Investment Ties
