Canada-Emirates: 2024-2025 opportunities for Quebec SMEs

Economic relations between Canada and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are undergoing a remarkable acceleration, and Quebec SMEs have a strategic card to play between 2024 and 2025. The UAE is positioning itself as a major commercial hub for the Middle East, Africa and Asia, while Canada is seen as a reliable partner in innovation, clean technologies, digital services and agri-food. According to Global Affairs Canada, the Emirates are already Canada’s largest export market in the Middle East, with trade in goods and services worth several billion dollars every year, and growing steadily.

For Quebec companies, this dynamic comes at a time when Dubai and Abu Dhabi are investing heavily in digital transformation, artificial intelligence and e-commerce. The government of the Emirates aims to make the country a world leader in AI and a key logistics hub for trade flows between East and West. Quebec SMEs that equip themselves with digital solutions (multilingual websites, AI and chatbots, CRM, e-commerce platforms) can thus access these markets more easily and meet high expectations in terms of customer experience and service quality.

In this article, we analyze the major Canada-Emirates trends for 2024-2025, the growth sectors for Quebec SMEs, the challenges to anticipate and how to prepare your business with the right digital tools to seize these opportunities.

1. Current status of Canada-UAE relations and outlook for 2024-2025

The United Arab Emirates occupy a strategic position in Canadian trade policy. According to the Canadian government, bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and the UAE recently exceeded CAD 2 billion, making the Emirates Canada’s main trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa region. Added to this is a significant volume of services (financial, engineering, IT, education, tourism) which continues to grow.

Several structuring trends are emerging for 2024-2025:

• Growing investment in AI and digital: Dubai and Abu Dhabi each have national artificial intelligence strategies, with public investments of several billion US dollars to attract startups, talent and tech companies.
• Accelerating e-commerce: the Gulf region is one of the world’s fastest-growing e-commerce markets. Recent regional studies indicate that e-commerce in the Emirates is experiencing double-digit growth, driven by a young, connected population with high purchasing power.
• Increased openness to foreign SMEs: free zones such as Dubai Internet City or Abu Dhabi Global Market offer advantageous regimes for foreign companies (100% ownership, attractive taxation, world-class infrastructure).

For Quebec, these trends translate into a growing demand for clean technologies, AI know-how, software solutions, professional services and high value-added niche products (premium agri-food, creative industry, SaaS solutions, etc.). Investing in a solid digital presence is becoming a prerequisite for credibility with Emirati partners: professional website, content in English (and possibly Arabic), e-commerce storefront, CRM management and marketing automation.

Quebec SMEs wishing to position themselves in this Canada-Emirates relationship therefore need to think beyond traditional exports. They need to build a true digital ecosystem, enabling them to generate leads remotely, respond rapidly to requests (via AI-powered chatbots), track prospects in an adapted CRM and offer a customer experience worthy of international standards.

2. Growth sectors for Quebec SMEs: digital, AI, e-commerce and services

The Emirates have a clear strategy: to diversify their economy beyond oil and position themselves in high value-added sectors. For Quebec SMEs, several segments in particular stand out for 2024-2025.

1. Information technology, AI and automation
The Emirates have launched a national artificial intelligence strategy that aims to integrate AI into government services, healthcare, education, mobility and finance. Dubai, in particular, has set itself the goal of being one of the first fully operational “smart cities”. Against this backdrop, demand for AI, data analytics, process automation, cybersecurity and SaaS platform solutions is exploding.

Quebec SMEs specializing in AI, customer relationship automation or data management therefore have a window of opportunity. For example, offering AI virtual assistants and chatbots for the websites of clinics, hotels, real estate groups or retail businesses in the Emirates would improve their 24/7 customer service in several languages.

2. E-commerce, logistics and digital platforms
According to several regional market analyses, e-commerce in the Emirates is enjoying sustained annual growth, fuelled by a high Internet penetration rate (over 95% of the population) and intensive mobile adoption. Local consumers have high expectations in terms of speed, personalization and reliability of payments.

Quebec SMEs developing robust online stores or B2B e-commerce solutions can not only sell from Quebec to the Emirates, but also offer their digital expertise to local companies looking to optimize their online presence, integrate secure payment gateways, or automate inventory management.

3. Professional and creative services
The Emirates import high value-added services on a massive scale: engineering, architecture, design, training, digital marketing, video production and content creation. Quebec SMEs can offer remote services, supported by a professional website, high-quality video portfolios and a structured sales approach via a CRM focused on international development.

4. Agri-food and niche products
Canadian products enjoy a reputation for quality and reliability. Organic products, premium processed foods, specialty beverages or natural health and beauty products find their place in the Emirates’ high-end markets and e-commerce platforms. For these SMEs, the key is to combine a controlled supply chain with a high-performance digital channel to present the brand, tell its story and manage international orders.

In all these sectors, there’s one common thread: the need for a credible digital presence tailored to the international market. A site designed for export, a professional multilingual website, an online store ready for international payments and an optimized CRM are decisive assets for turning interest into contracts.

3. Challenges and considerations for Quebec SMEs: culture, regulation and digital technology

While the outlook is promising, Quebec SMEs also face a number of challenges specific to the markets of the Emirates and, more broadly, the Gulf.

1. Cultural differences and relational approach
Business development in the Emirates relies heavily on trust, face-to-face meetings and the quality of relationships. Communication is generally in English, but business culture is influenced by local customs and sensitivity to traditions. It is therefore essential :

• adapt your communication materials (website, presentations, brochures) into correct professional English, or even Arabic if relevant;
• clearly display your references, certifications and case studies to establish your credibility;
• use digital channels (website, LinkedIn, video content) to initiate contact and maintain the relationship between physical missions.

2. Regulatory issues and compliance
The Emirates have free zones with their own rules, as well as federal legislation affecting foreign ownership, taxation, personal data and cybersecurity, among other things. For digital solutions, data localization, information protection compliance and payment security are crucial.

Before getting started, we recommend that you :

• consult official resources such as the Government of Canada’s international trade portal for the Emirates (country fact sheets, sectoral advice, regulatory information);
• exchange views with experts in Middle Eastern market development (Chambers of Commerce, trade commissioners, local consultants);
• ensure that your platforms (CRM, e-commerce, hosting) can meet the expected security and confidentiality requirements.

3. International competition and quality requirements
The Emirates attract companies from all over the world: Europe, Asia, North America. Quebec SMEs therefore need to position themselves through quality, specialization and reliability. This means :

• a clear, fast and professional website as the main showcase for customers thousands of miles away;
• rapid response capability (e.g. using AI chatbots to qualify requests 24/7);
• structured follow-up management via a CRM adapted to international sales;
• marketing content (videos, product sheets, demonstrations) that highlights your strengths and proof of success.

4. Adapting the offer and marketing
What works in Quebec doesn’t always work in the Emirates. Price positioning, brand message and service terms (support, warranty, delivery times) may need to be adjusted. Digital marketing should focus on the key advantages for Emirati customers: reliability, innovation, responsive support, compatibility with their systems, compliance and the ability to support growth.

The companies that succeed will be those that see their digital transformation not as an isolated project, but as a strategic lever for international business. A partner like Nuaweb can support these adjustments by combining website creation, e-commerce integration, CRM and AI automation in a coherent way.

4. How to prepare your Quebec SME to take advantage of Canada-Emirates opportunities

To move from intention to action, Quebec SMEs need to follow a structured approach. Here’s a four-point plan to help you prepare for the 2024-2025 opportunities between Canada and the Emirates.

1. Clarify your value proposition for the Emirati market
Start by clearly defining :

• what specific problem you’re solving for a customer in Dubai or Abu Dhabi;
• how your solution stands out from the international competition (innovation, service, sector specialization, value for money);
• which segments to target (local SMEs, institutions, large companies, distributors, e-commerce platforms, etc.).

This will enable you to adapt your message on your website, your presentations, your marketing campaigns and your exchanges with partners.

2. Professionalize your digital presence
For an Emirates-based customer, your first impression almost always comes through your online presence. Make sure you :

• a professional, fast, secure (HTTPS) and mobile-optimized website;
• offer at least one clear English version of your key pages (services, achievements, about us, contact);
• integrate simple contact forms, an appointment calendar if possible, and ideally an AI virtual assistant to answer frequently asked questions;
• present case studies, testimonials and references that reinforce your credibility with an international audience.

If you sell products, setting up an online store with inventory management, international shipping calculations and integration of recognized payment gateways will be a major asset.

3. Structure your sales approach with a CRM
International business development requires rigorous follow-up. A CRM management system will enable you to :

• centralize all your contacts (prospects, partners, agents, distributors);
• track interactions (e-mails, meetings, calls, demonstrations);
• plan timely reminders, taking into account time differences and key periods (Ramadan, major trade fairs, etc.);
• analyze which actions really generate opportunities and income.

Coupled with simple automations (follow-up e-mails, reminders, onboarding sequences), your CRM becomes a real driver of your export strategy to the Emirates.

4. Leveraging AI and video production
Markets like the Emirates are highly sensitive to presentation quality and perceived innovation. Two levers stand out:

• AI and automation: sales assistants, chatbots for support, predictive analysis of customer needs, multilingual content generation;
• Video and immersive content: product demonstrations, virtual tours, customer testimonials, subtitled English pitches.

Integrating these tools into your strategy will not only impress your contacts in the Emirates, but also make you more efficient and professional in all your international markets.

Finally, don’t hesitate to ask for support. A specialized partner like Nuaweb, based in Quebec and accustomed to the challenges faced by SMEs, can help you align your digital presence with your international ambitions, whether by creating an adapted website, setting up an online store, integrating a CRM or adding AI tools to your communication channels.

Conclusion: turn opportunity into action with Nuaweb

The 2024-2025 trends between Canada and the United Arab Emirates outline a landscape rich in opportunities for Quebec SMEs, particularly in the fields of AI, digital, e-commerce, professional services and niche products. The Emirates’ massive investments in digital transformation, their role as a regional hub and the sustained growth of e-commerce open the door to lasting partnerships for companies that know how to position themselves.

However, international competition is strong, and expectations in terms of professionalism, speed and quality of service are high. To turn this potential into concrete results, your SME needs a solid digital foundation: a credible multilingual website, an internationally-ready e-commerce platform, an effective CRM and AI tools capable of supporting your remote business development.

Nuaweb already supports Quebec companies in their digital transformation and expansion into new markets. Whether you’re planning to test the Emirates market or structure a larger-scale export strategy, we can help you :

• clarify your digital positioning for international markets;
• design or optimize your business website to attract international customers;
• set up an online store adapted to international sales;
• integrate CRM and automation to better manage your prospects in the Emirates;
• add AI and chatbot solutions to offer 24/7 customer service.

Would you like to assess your SME’s potential in the UAE market and build a digital strategy to match your ambitions? Schedule a free consultation with our team today via this contact form. Together, let’s turn Canada-UAE opportunities into real growth for your business.