TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew met with Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to discuss partnerships in new media talent that support Dubai's position as a global media city. The high-level meeting — attended by senior Dubai officials and TikTok representatives — underscored the emirate's commitment to working with international media technology leaders while nurturing local innovation and creative talent.
Sheikh Hamdan on Dubai's Media Ambitions
During the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan highlighted Dubai's goal of building an environment where creative and media excellence can flourish through international partnerships. He made the UAE's intent clear: "Dubai is determined to increase cooperation with the world's new media technology giants such as TikTok to further develop effectively the competitiveness of the media sector." The Crown Prince stressed that these collaborations are designed to ensure Dubai remains a top-tier player in the global media landscape.
Dubai Press Club Roundtable with Shou Zi Chew
As part of the visit, the Dubai Press Club (DPC) held a roundtable with TikTok's Shou Zi Chew. The session — titled Creating the Future of Content Creation and Enabling Innovation — gave content creators from across the UAE and the wider region a platform to share their perspectives on the direction of digital media. The event reflects Dubai's broader strategy of facilitating knowledge transfer and keeping regional creators at the cutting edge of the industry.
TikTok's Growing Footprint in MENA
TikTok established its Middle East and North Africa headquarters in Dubai in 2018 and has since grown rapidly in influence across the region, particularly among younger audiences. Dubai's position as a business and media hub has made it an attractive base for dynamic media organisations looking to tap into regional growth opportunities.
Senior Officials Attend
The meeting also brought together Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, and Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, alongside other senior government leaders and TikTok representatives. The involvement of these officials signals strong, unified government backing for advancing Dubai's media innovation agenda and supporting UAE content producers on the global stage.
