Gulf technology companies and institutional investors are increasingly setting up secondary operational hubs in Hong Kong and Singapore amid persistent regional tensions, according to a report by the South China Morning Post.
Financial institutions and tech groups are implementing a dual-hub model to direct Middle Eastern capital into Asian artificial intelligence data centers, digital networks, and multicurrency payment rails. The report noted that the Asia-Pacific financial services sector is forecast to expand to $4.8 trillion by 2035, attracting Gulf sovereign wealth funds seeking exposure to Asian supply chains and advanced computing infrastructure.
Paul Bratby, founder of Dubai-based AI trading signals platform xBratAI, stated that his firm moved forward its Asian expansion timeline following the outbreak and escalation of conflict in the Middle East. While the company's Hong Kong entity was originally planned for several years later, it was established in early 2026.
The shift illustrates deepening commercial ties connecting Gulf capital with Chinese and East Asian digital infrastructure projects as businesses seek secondary hubs to mitigate regional operational risks.
Sources
- South China Morning Post · 2026-09-23
