Beijing-based China Securities has secured a commercial licence from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Authority and regulatory authorization from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). Operating from the DIFC, where Chinese banking institutions now hold more than 30 percent of total banking and capital markets sector assets, the branch will provide investment banking, asset management, and debt and equity capital markets services to regional clients.
In Abu Dhabi, Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD Group) entered into an agreement with JINGDONG Property, the infrastructure arm of JD.com. The agreement covers the construction of a 150,000-square-metre smart logistics complex scheduled for handover in 2028, which is projected to generate roughly 1,000 direct logistics and operational positions.
According to figures released by the UAE-China Chamber of Commerce, Chinese outbound direct investment into the UAE reached $2.6 billion in the latest reporting period, more than tripling year-on-year. This capital influx brings total cumulative Chinese direct investment stock in the UAE to $12.47 billion, coinciding with bilateral non-oil trade exceeding $100 billion.
Corporate expansion also accelerated across mobility and energy. Autonomous driving developer Momenta confirmed plans to roll out commercial robotaxis in Dubai by 2027 alongside active road tests in Abu Dhabi, joining peers WeRide and Baidu Apollo Go in expanding UAE operations. Additionally, 353 Asian companies, including Chinese energy firms Sinopec, CNPC, CNOOC, CATL, and ZhenHua Oil, are scheduled to participate in ADIPEC 2026 in Abu Dhabi.
Sources
- UAE-China Chamber of Commerce · 2026-10-01
