Banking, fintech, funds, capital markets and cross-border investment
Middle Eastern sovereign funds invested US$14.2 billion in Hong Kong and mainland China during the first nine months of 2026, according to Global SWF. UAE funds ADIA and Mubadala contributed US$2.5 billion and US$800 million, respectively. The capital targeted sectors including advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and consumer markets.
An analysis published by TechFlow clarifies that the absence of capital gains tax does not make cryptocurrency profits universally tax-exempt. In the UAE, qualifying personal investment gains remain exempt, but business activities with annual turnover exceeding AED 1 million enter the corporate tax net, where profits above AED 375,000 face a 9% rate. Globally, tax liabilities depend heavily on income classification between personal holdings and active commercial trading.
Iran's Foreign Investment Board has approved 42 foreign investment applications valued at $228 million across multiple economic sectors, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance. The approved capital includes funding from investors in China, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, the United Kingdom, and other nations. Since March 21, 2026, the board has cleared 398 foreign investment projects totaling $3.2 billion.
A three-month international law enforcement crackdown led by the UAE Ministry of Interior identified over $39 billion in fraud-linked assets and thwarted more than 123 million online fraud attempts worldwide. The operation engaged 30 countries—including China and the UAE—alongside international agencies and 13 major technology and financial corporations. Joint enforcement measures led to more than 960 arrests, the freezing of 4,126 bank accounts, and raids on 29 fraud hubs.
Policy updates, China–UAE business news and industry insights, delivered to your inbox.
Membership
Tell us about your experience and connection to UAE–China business. UECN assesses your application and offers the right membership category — fees are shared privately with your offer.
We send you a one-time sign-in link — your answers are saved as you go.
