A total of 16,300 companies joined the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry as members in 2017, the group said on Tuesday, bringing its total membership to 217,000, reported Emirates news agency Wam.

The non-profit public organisation’s membership figure for 2017 marked an 8 per cent increase, compared to the previous year.

Also, exports and re-exports of Dubai Chamber members grew 2 per cent year-over-year to reach Dh277 billion ($75.4 billion) in 2017.

Hamad Buamim, president and CEO of the Dubai Chamber, explained that the Chamber's international expansion strategy was instrumental in attracting foreign companies to Dubai, and noted that the Chamber's representative offices around the world continue to play an active role in promoting Dubai as an attractive business hub.

"2017 was a transformational year for Dubai, marked by remarkable economic and social progress, as well as the adoption of forward-thinking strategies and emerging technologies that will shape the future of the emirate and support its mission to become one of the most innovative cities in the world, in line with the vision of the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum", he added.