Dubai-headquartered corporate spend management platform Qashio has opened its European headquarters in Dublin, accelerating its global expansion strategy. The action represents the company’s fifth launch in 12 months, following the opening of new offices in:
- Saudi Arabia,
- Jordan,
- Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
Qashio plans to hire more than 100 employees for the Dublin hub across sales, marketing, product, engineering, and finance functions.
Ireland was selected for multiple strategic factors. More than 14,000 Irish citizens currently live in the UAE, while bilateral trade between the two countries is approaching €8 billion. Dublin has also established itself as a European base for technology companies due to its advantageous tax environment and English-speaking workforce, which makes talent acquisition across the continent easier.
Founder and CEO Armin Moradi said the company is focused on the future and on strengthening the UAE’s international ties through financial services, clean technology, and innovation. Dublin will serve as Qashio’s European launchpad, supporting plans to build deep local partnerships, attract global talent, and develop products for companies operating across borders.
UAE corporate travel market set to double to $94 billion by 2030
Qashio disclosed that it has secured multiple crucial regional partnerships, supported by healthy market fundamentals. The UAE’s business travel market is forecast to grow by around 10 percent annually, nearly doubling to $94 billion by 2030. The company noted that European expansion will further strengthen its partner ecosystem and unlock additional loyalty benefits for businesses across travel, hospitality, and e-commerce. For those tracking real estate business trends in Abu Dhabi, the expansion of technology companies such as Qashio signals rising demand for Grade A office space in the capital, where firms are increasingly establishing regional headquarters alongside Dubai operations to balance their presence across the UAE’s two main business hubs.
The company’s rapid growth, with five launches in a single year, reflects an aggressive strategy to gain market share across the Middle East. Saudi Arabia offers the region’s largest economy, driven by Vision 2030 and widespread digitalization. Jordan serves as an entry point to Levant markets, supported by a well-educated workforce and a mature technology sector. Maintaining offices in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi may appear redundant given the short distance between the cities, but corporate clients often prefer local engagement. Many large organizations favor meetings within their own emirate, and a physical presence simplifies relationship management and service delivery.
Read also: Rents for prime retail space in the UAE rose by 13.5% in 2025.
Talent, housing costs, and relocation considerations
Hiring 100 employees for the Dublin hub represents a significant investment in recruitment, office space, and operational infrastructure. Ireland continues to face a shortage of affordable housing, pushing rents higher and requiring companies to offer competitive compensation to attract relocating professionals. Projected growth in the UAE business travel market creates a favorable backdrop for corporate expense management platforms. Companies spend heavily on flights, hotels, dining, and transport for traveling staff. Tools that automate expense tracking, budget controls, and accounting integration reduce administrative burden and mitigate misuse.
Qashio competes with global players such as Brex, Ramp, and Pleo, which dominate Western markets but have limited presence in the Middle East. Regional expertise – spanning Islamic finance considerations and varying Gulf regulatory structures – gives local platforms an edge over international competitors. As Qashio strengthens its ecosystem across travel, hospitality, and e-commerce, network effects increase platform value for corporate clients. Integrated supplier relationships and loyalty programs encourage businesses to centralize spending through preferred partners rather than fragmented bookings.
Read also: UAE abolishes VAT self-invoicing and introduces a five-year refund period.
For employees considering relocation to one of the company’s Middle East offices, an unbiased comparison of Dubai’s districts by rental cost is a useful resource for budgeting and choosing where to live, balancing proximity to the office with infrastructure quality and overall living expenses. Bilateral trade of nearly €8 billion between the UAE and Ireland underscores deep economic ties that Qashio can leverage. Irish companies operating in the Middle East, and UAE firms with European footprints, increasingly require systems that ease cross-border expense management across currencies and jurisdictions.
