Chinese Direct Investment in UAE Reaches $2.6 Billion as Financial Presence Grows

China's outbound direct investment (ODI) to the United Arab Emirates reached $2.6 billion, more than tripling the volume recorded in the preceding year, according to data cited by the UAE-China Chamber of Commerce. Across the wider Middle East, Chinese outbound capital flows more than doubled. Globally, China's total outbound direct investment rose 11.1 percent year-on-year to $213.58 billion, crossing the $200 billion threshold for the first time.

In the financial sector, Beijing-headquartered investment bank China Securities established a regional office within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The firm secured an operating licence from the DIFC Authority and formal authorisation from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). The office will support operations across equity and debt capital markets, investment banking, asset management, and institutional services.

According to reports cited by the chamber, China's five largest banks currently account for more than 30 percent of total banking and capital markets assets in DIFC. Bilateral non-oil trade between China and the UAE has also crossed the $100 billion threshold.

Alongside financial sector expansion, JD.com subsidiary JINGDONG Property concluded an agreement to construct a 150,000-square-metre smart logistics complex in Abu Dhabi's KEZAD economic zone, expanding Chinese infrastructure operations in the Emirates.