The South Asian community is a rising ethnic group within the UAE, consisting of over 59% of the total population of the country. Malaysian and Indonesian communities within the UAE are prominent. The number of Indonesians in the UAE was estimated to be around 77,000 in 2020, with the majority living in Dubai. Latest records gathered estimates that around 7000 Malaysians live in the UAE, with at least half residing in Dubai. At least 20% of both communities are professional, working individuals, notably as engineers in the oil and gas fields as well as health and hospitality sectors.
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Business:
Malaysian foodstuff companies are on the rise, with many companies eyeing to expand globally. Gulfood, the largest F&B show held in February of this year in Dubai, has welcomed 82 Malaysian Companies that are under the National Trade Promotion Agency (MATRADE). These companies have displayed frozen foods, including ready-to-eat meals, spiced meats, various foods, beverages and sauces.

Malaysian companies have experienced increased acceptance towards diverse, Malaysian Cuisine. Food exports to the UAE from Malaysia have since been increasing, reaching over AED 460.4 million as of 2023, mainly contributed by products including cocoa, processed seafood and dairy products.
Indonesian companies have been steadily increasing, marking their presence in the Emirate. As of Q1 2024, the number of active Indonesian companies in Dubai reached 114, marking a 293% increase since 2014. As of 2023, total Indonesian investments in Dubai reached AED 188 million, accounting for at least 87% of total Indonesian investments over the past 5 years. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries has been in effect since September 2023, which is expected to increase the annual bilateral trade to up to $10 billion within five years by removing trade barriers on various goods and services.
Tourism:
As of the first half of 2024, visitors from South Asia and Southeast Asia constituted around 27% from the total number of visitors, which was over 9.3 million. As per the latest data we have gathered, Dubai has recorded over 75,000 arrivals from Indonesia as of 2023, highlighting a 36% increase from the previous year.

Dubai Tourism has recently conducted its Dubai Tourism Roadshow in Jakarta to further boost its inbound arrivals from Indonesia with the aim to meet its target of 100,000 travelers by the end of the year.
Weekly flights between Dubai and Kuala Lampur exceed 48 flights weekly, with Emirates Airlines operating 21 flights between Dubai and Kuala Lumpur weekly alone.
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Restaurants:
Dubai offers a rich tapestry of culinary experiences, and among them, Southeast Asian cuisine stands out with its vibrant flavors and diverse offerings. Below are some of the popular Southeast Asian restaurants in Dubai that cater to various tastes and preferences.
1. Andaliman: located at Za’abeel 1, Andaliman is a culinary voyage that balances both tradition and innovation. This restaurant offers authentic Indonesian food with a contemporary touch to enhance the dining experience.
2. Rasa Sayang: Located near the Malaysia Trade Center in Bur Dubai, this restaurant offers a variety of traditional Asian and Malaysian cuisines to suit all tastes.
3. Asian Wok: Asian Wok is UAE-born restaurant located in Business Bay, with various other branches across Dubai. This restaurant takes pride in its fresh ingredients and in-house made Wok sauces.