Banking, fintech, funds, capital markets and cross-border investment
A UAE delegation led by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology is attending the China International Industry Fair 2026 in Shanghai. The visit focuses on exploring investment partnerships in advanced technology, smart manufacturing, and automation. Participating entities include major UAE industrial, investment, and development organizations.
Sharjah Media City (Shams) has launched 'Bedaya', an artificial intelligence-driven platform designed to streamline business setup for foreign and domestic investors. The system matches user proposals with authorized free zone activities and suggests corporate structures. It also generates trade names and automated fee schedules in Arabic and English.
Online and in-app payments accounted for 55% of domestic Visa payment volume in the UAE in 2026, up from 35% in 2019, according to Visa Business and Economic Insights. Payment card activity on food delivery applications climbed from approximately 2% in 2018 to nearly 30% in 2026, driven primarily by everyday spenders. In addition, 25.7% of active UAE Visa cards logged at least 10 digital transactions monthly, compared to 4.5% in 2018.
The UAE Ministry of Finance has eliminated the preliminary approval stage for electronic invoicing service providers, requiring them to secure direct accreditation before offering services. Issued under Ministerial Decision No. 168 of 2026, the updated framework took effect on October 1, 2026, ahead of the October 30 deadline for large businesses to appoint an accredited provider. Service providers that previously held preliminary approval have 30 days from October 1 to complete the necessary assessments and testing.
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