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The September 2026 Global Financial Centres Index positioned Dubai at ninth place and Abu Dhabi at 13th place globally. Abu Dhabi climbed eight places, with Abu Dhabi Global Market reporting a 54 percent surge in assets under management in the first half of 2026.
The UAE Cabinet has issued Cabinet Decision No. 149 of 2026, amending Cabinet Decision No. 52 of 2017 on the Executive Regulation of Value Added Tax. The updates introduce statutory criteria for composite supplies, modify input tax recovery on employee accommodation and medical supplies, and restrict deductions on cash transactions exceeding specific thresholds. Most provisions take effect on 1 October 2026, with input tax apportionment rules applying from the first tax year starting after 1 October 2027.
A delegation of 15 women entrepreneurs from China concluded a two-week official visit to the UAE focused on commercial and investment ties. Jointly organized by the UAE General Women's Union and the UAE Embassy in Beijing, the delegates attended the Sharjah-China Businesswomen Forum. Discussions focused on exploring joint ventures and high-value bilateral enterprise partnerships.
Chinese direct investment across the MENA region doubled to $4.8 billion in 2025, driven largely by capital inflows into the UAE. Net direct investment in the UAE grew 237.7% to $2.6 billion, raising China's total investment stock in the country to $12.47 billion. The UAE now holds more than 40% of China's investment stock in the MENA region and receives over 50% of its new capital flows.
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