Chinese trade with 23 Middle East and North Africa countries declined 12 percent year-on-year to $329.3 billion during the first nine months of 2026. The contraction was driven by a 38.6 percent drop in crude oil imports, while automotive exports and UAE transit volumes showed resilience.
Sovereign wealth funds deployed $14.2 billion into mainland China and Hong Kong in the first nine months of 2026, up roughly 190% from all of 2025. Gulf sovereign funds contributed nearly 70% of the total, with UAE funds ADIA and Mubadala deploying a combined $3.3 billion.
Chinese customs data shows trade with 23 Middle East and North Africa countries reached $329.3 billion in the first nine months of 2026. Crude oil imports from the region fell 38.6% year-on-year amid shipping frictions, while passenger vehicle exports totaled $15.9 billion.
The UAE Federal Tax Authority held an outreach session with business owners and taxpayers in Dubai to discuss tax system developments and compliance efficiency. The consultation supports the third cycle of the Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme to simplify corporate tax and VAT workflows. Discussions also covered operational challenges and the advisory role of licensed Emirati Tax Agents.
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