Chinese Firms Broaden Presence in UAE Across Financial, Logistics, and Technology Sectors

Chinese commercial and financial institutions expanded their operational presence in the United Arab Emirates in early October 2026, according to the UAE-China Chamber of Commerce. Beijing-based China Securities secured a commercial licence from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Authority and regulatory authorization from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). The branch will offer investment banking, asset management, and debt and equity capital markets services in the DIFC, where Chinese banking institutions currently account for over 30 percent of total banking and capital markets assets.

In Abu Dhabi, Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD Group) entered into an agreement with JD.com subsidiary JINGDONG Property to construct a 150,000-square-metre smart logistics complex. Scheduled for handover in 2028, the logistics facility is projected to create approximately 1,000 direct logistics and operational positions.

Data released by the UAE-China Chamber of Commerce indicated that 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 raised cumulative Chinese direct investment stock in the UAE to $12.47 billion, coinciding with bilateral non-oil trade surpassing $100 billion.

Corporate expansion also progressed in mobility and energy, with autonomous driving developer Momenta confirming plans to introduce commercial robotaxis in Dubai by 2027 alongside active road tests in Abu Dhabi. Furthermore, 353 Asian companies, including Chinese energy firms Sinopec, CNPC, CNOOC, CATL, and ZhenHua Oil, are scheduled to take part in ADIPEC 2026 in Abu Dhabi.