A record 45 bulk carriers entered the Middle East Gulf in October 2026, marking a 36 percent month-on-month increase. According to an analysis by Lloyd's List, Chinese-headquartered shipping companies accounted for 29 percent of non-Iranian-linked dry bulker transits through the region.
Chinese companies account for over 20% of registered international entries for GITEX Global and Expand North Star in Dubai, ranking second behind the UAE. Major firms including Huawei, Alibaba Cloud, Ant Group, China Mobile, and ZTE are confirmed to present cloud computing, robotics, and enterprise AI tools. Huawei has secured a 1,225-square-meter footprint focused on autonomous agent systems and digital infrastructure.
Commercial Bank of Dubai has completed wholesale Digital Dirham transfers with Bank of China through the Central Bank of the UAE's Jisr platform. The bilateral transaction demonstrated end-to-end processing and settlement of the digital currency between the two countries. The initiative forms part of the CBUAE's Financial Infrastructure Transformation Programme to advance cross-border central bank digital currency capabilities.
The UAE-China Smart Transport Centre has been launched in Dubai as a permanent platform to enhance bilateral collaboration in clean and smart mobility. Announced during an industrial cooperation forum, the centre serves as a single point of access for Chinese companies to handle licensing, approvals, and joint ventures in the UAE. It also supports technical alignment with local electric vehicle charging infrastructure and skills development.
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