Sharif Chacoff serves as the Trade Commisioner of ProChile in the United Arab Emirates, leading efforts to connect Chilean innovation, technology, and trade with the fast-growing Gulf market. With a deep understanding of both Latin American and Middle Eastern business ecosystems, Chacoff plays a key role in facilitating Chile’s expansion into the UAE — a country recognized for its leadership in technology, logistics, and sustainable development.
In this exclusive interview, he discusses the significance of the Innovation Summit Chile–Dubai 2025, the Chilean companies participating, and how this initiative aims to position Chile as a strategic innovation and trade partner for the Gulf region.
From the ProChile office in the United Arab Emirates, could you tell us about this first edition of the Innovation Summit Chile–Dubai 2025 and its relevance in positioning Chile as an innovation and trade partner in the Gulf region?
The United Arab Emirates — and particularly Dubai — is widely recognized for leading the way in industries such as logistics, finance, agriculture, education, and healthcare. Each of these sectors constantly seeks global, innovation-based solutions, and Chile has a highly qualified and advanced exportable offer to meet those needs.
When we look at the services that are setting trends, Chile’s main service exports are led by information and communication technologies (ICTs) — including app development, software design, and data processing — as well as maintenance, repair, management, and financial services. These areas are essential in the digital economy and demonstrate Chile’s ability to integrate into global value chains.
We see great potential for developing new business opportunities with the UAE, thanks to its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, business-friendly regulatory framework, and clear vision for innovation. This allows us to identify opportunities not only in this country but across the entire region.
The Chilean delegation participating in this first edition represents a coordinated effort between the public and private sectors. How many companies are taking part, which government authorities will travel to Dubai, and what message does ProChile aim to convey by presenting this group of innovative solutions?
The 12 companies that make up the Chilean delegation were selected through a public call. Among them are Ok To Shop, InsightPlay AI, Value List, Isolcork, UmmIA (Tu Clase), Medible Go, Work Mining Technologies, Ssindex, Chucao Technologies, Ancestral Tech, Lab ICT, and Symbiosis Biotek.
The delegation will be led by Ignacio Fernández, Director General of ProChile, alongside Pablo Zamora, President of Fundación Chile and co-founder of NotCo. The Ambassador of Chile to the UAE, H.E. Patricio Díaz, will also be present, as well as myself in my role as Commercial Attaché of ProChile in the UAE.
Our message is clear: Chile is already a global leader in the export of fresh and dried fruit, dairy products, and wine — but through this event, we aim to showcase a new exportable offer focused on innovation and technology, positioning Chile as Latin America’s strategic and technological hub for the Middle East.
Are there any specific events or activities planned during the Summit to present the Chilean delegation and facilitate connections with potential partners and investors in the Emirates?
Yes. We will hold a series of high-level meetings led by Director General Ignacio Fernández. The companies will participate in pitches with local investors and a networking session with regional companies and venture capital funds.
On Tuesday, October 14, we will officially kick off with a Spotlight on Chile at Expand North Star, where Director General Ignacio Fernández will deliver remarks. The session will also include a dynamic panel discussion featuring Pablo Zamora, President of Fundación Chile and co-founder of NotCo; the CEO of one of the Chilean companies already operating in the UAE; and Mario Terrazas from Work Mining Technologies.
In general terms, what is ProChile’s main goal with this first edition of the Innovation Summit Chile–Dubai 2025, and how do you expect it to contribute to positioning Chile on the region’s innovation and business agenda?
We are present at one of the world’s largest events for startups and technological innovation — hosted in one of the 16 easiest countries to do business, home to one of the world’s most important ports, and a pioneer in establishing a government ministry dedicated exclusively to Artificial Intelligence.
All these attributes make the UAE a key market for Chile. That is precisely why we are participating in this Innovation Summit Chile–Dubai 2025 with 12 companies as our starting point.
Why do we call it a starting point? Because our main goal is to create new spaces and build bridges between our countries, enabling the UAE market to truly know what Chile has to offer. At the same time, we want to generate a multiplier effect among Chilean companies — so they understand that the relationship we are establishing with the UAE and the Gulf countries is long-term, and that this region represents an ideal destination to internationalize their businesses.
